Spokane Symphony to play for region's students

Over 5,000 4th and 5th graders from 70 schools in Spokane, Spokane Valley and North Idaho will experience the Spokane Symphony at The Fox Theater for Symphony Days this week.

Students have been learning in the classroom how composers develop themes in their music to represent characters. This technique will be demonstrated with two classical works meant to encourage students’ interest in orchestral music as well as multiple familiar film scores.

Highlights from the program include: Richard Wagner, "Ride of the Valkyries"; Hector Berlioz, "March to the Scaffold"; Monty Norman, "James Bond Theme"; John Williams, "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark"; Alan Silvestri, "Avenger’s Theme"; John Williams, "Hedwigs Theme".

Among the comments from students at the 2021 Symphony Day were:

“Dear all from the Symphony, you guys were amazing. If you heard me saying ‘Yea Woo Hoo’ and clapping in the yellow coat that was me and it changed me and my taste in music,” Ridgeview Elementary School student, 2021

“Thank you for giving me a once in a lifetime gift. It really inspired me to learn about music more. I really liked the design of the fox and I also liked the look and feel of the concert experience. Once again thank you for giving me this gift,” Mikiley, 2021

Performances started Wednesday, Oct. 26, and continue today with several thousand students from the region taking part each day.

Shira Samuels-Shragg will make her debut conducting the Spokane Symphony. Shira graduated in May 2022 with her Masters in Music in orchestral conducting from The Julliard School.

A believer in music’s power to connect and heal, Shira helped design and played piano in the concert “Dialogue in Three Movements: An Artistic Journey of Israel/Palestine in celebration of International Day of Peace,” created by Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Udi Bar David and his ARTolerance organization among many accomplishments. She comes from Los Angeles.