Crookston Orchestra Instructor Haley Ellis is hoping to start an annual Orchestra Summer Pops Concert featuring current or former Pirate musicians. She is currently looking for musicians to put on a concert this June.
Ellis said she wants to bring alumni of all ages and the community together. “I’ve been here for a couple of years now, and I’ve had some great kids come through,” said Ellis. “I kind of miss them, to be honest. I’ve wanted to be able to do something to bring the community together a little bit and bring some of our alumni back. This is going to be a summer pops concert with the orchestra inviting the alumni back. This is not just the alumni of the past couple of years. If you are a grandma and you play viola, come on down. I’m open for everyone.”
Ellis said even those who haven’t played for a while are welcome to join. “We will have a week of practices, so if you haven’t played in a couple of years that’s okay,” said Ellis. “I have music for all levels. It’s going to be a very lowkey event where you play what you can. If it’s been a while and you’re like – I can play some things but not everything – that’s alright, you play what you can. I’d love to bring the community together with this event and make it an annual thing where people can come back once a year.”
There will be a variety of music that should appeal to all ages. “I have rehearsals scheduled the week of June 5 from 5-7 p.m.,” said Ellis. “So, if anyone is working, they can come after work for practices. Then, that Saturday put on a concert. It’s a pops concert, so we’re doing a lot of movie music and pop music, both old and new. So, I think even some of our more aged alumni would still enjoy some of the music. We can put on some really chill music out in front of the school. It’s a pops concert with popcorn so, you know, that’s fun, and just bring the community together a little bit.”
Registration is available online. “I have a form on the music website that anyone who is interested can fill out,” said Ellis. “I’m asking that these be filled out by May 7, a month before practices start so that I can get music out to people. If you go to the music website – crookstonmusic.org/pop-strings – and there is a form asking for your name, what instrument you play. If you need to borrow an instrument, mostly cellos and bases, I do have some of those. If you’ve played those instruments and need to borrow one, you can do that. It has all the dates and times of that week listed as well.”
Those interested who would like more information can also contact Ellis by email at haleyellis@isd593.org.
