AHS Orchestra Plays Maple Stadium

The AHS Orchestra at a 2018 football game.

You expect to see trumpets, tubas and drums at a high school football game. Violins, violas and cellos, not so much. 

But, since 2017, the Adrian High School Orchestra has performed at an AHS varsity football game each season. 

“Lots of people don't think of orchestras and strings as relevant in today's world,” said Lorri Wittenkeller, Director of Orchestras for Adrian Public Schools. “We want to show that strings are still here and playing a great diversity of music, and they're doing it in more non-traditional places than ever.”

Playing in unconventional settings also provides a unique benefit for our students. “It gives the orchestra members the chance to play for people who may not have heard a high school string group or had any experience with strings close up,” said Ms. Wittenkeller. “Many of my students told me they were excited to play for a 'football' audience.” 

Another benefit: performing at Maple Stadium presents obstacles that force our orchestra members to think differently. “They have to call on their problem-solving skills,” said Ms. Wittenkeller. “They need to play louder and project to the audience. Our violin and viola players need to stand while playing, which is unusual. The ground can be uneven, which is tricky for our celli and bass players. And there's not much light after the sun goes down, so they need to prepare for that, too. It isn't at all like playing on stage, so it's a good experience that makes them think outside the box and address the challenges.”

Ms. Wittenkeller has been directing the Adrian Orchestras since 1987. We asked her what she likes best about her work. “I love the students. I love being able to see how they grow and change through the years. Teaching them from 6th through 12th grade is a privilege and an honor.  I spoke with a former student at the last home football game. He told me how his experience in orchestra was one of the factors that led him to be a music major. I feel so blessed to know that I've made an impact on students through music. It's very humbling.”

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