A community treasure: Auburn Symphony Orchestra

Published 6:22 pm Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I feel duty bound to dispel a myth. Inexplicably, one does not have to have a master’s degree in musical theory, nor to be among the 1 percent to enjoy classical music.

Being part of the 99 percent and having played clarinet for about a minute way back in fifth grade as the extent of my musical prowess, I feel qualified to shatter it. I had the very fortunate experience of finally attending an Auburn Symphony Orchestra performance last month for the first time.

It’s devastating to realize that I’ve lived in our town for the past decade and have somehow failed to discover this treasure until now. To watch beautiful, engaging music created live under the dynamic leadership of conductor Stewart Kershaw is a rare treat.

My boys have both benefited from the leadership of Melinda Wharton, an amazing orchestra teacher at Mt. Baker Middle School, so I’ve been to plenty of their concerts over the last few years; treasures in their own right. However, to see where her young students can be a decade or three from now was an inspiration.

The next performance is already on my calendar.

– Laura Higdon