A look into the Strolling Strings

STRONG STRONG STRINGS

Members of Strolling Strings talk about their favorite parts of being in the group

CAROLINE EDGAR easy, but it really isn’t, so we have to practice that,” Murry opinions editor said. Members of the group spend time in the multipurpose T T he soft hum of voices outside the room buzzes in the air. The players wait behind the door, instruments in hand, for the signal from their director that it is time room, weaving in and out of tables to practice how they move around a performance venue. Performance venues vary widely from nursing homes to expensive gatherings. to go out into the audience. Only five minutes remain. The “Typically, we’re playing for events, usually not where group has been practicing this set for weeks, and it’s time people are sitting and enjoying the performance as the to show off their hard work. A quiet voice can be heard by main thing,” Murry said. “We are entertainment music so the door: “Three, two, one, go.” there’s usually other things going on, and so maybe people

The Strolling Strings is a group composed of Ladue are having their dinner and we’re walking through and enorchestra students. The group uses their talents at events tertaining as they’re eating, and maybe some sort of event where they “stroll” through the audience as they play where people are milling about doing other things like an music. The group has been around for over 30 years and auction event.” was founded by Lois Percival. The current directors of the Event planners can hire the group to play at any venue group are Ladue orchestra teachers they need them at, providing both Elizabeth Dalbey and Twinda Murry. music for the event and experience for Senior Katie Schneider plays the viola, which is one of the instrumental options for players in the group, among other options such as the violin, cello, double bass and piano. Members of the group are all part of the Ladue orchestra, and normally practice on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. “It’s a nice kind of cooldown from We’re background music, but that kind of music is important too. It’s a different kind of performing, but it’s important because music permeates our “ “ the members of the group. Members of the group are also able to meet new people, make friends and have new experiences with the music group. “All of Strolling Strings is a family, so I think we’ve all become friends with each other,” senior and bass player Noah Smock said. “With all our practicing, it would be impossible to the rest of what’s happening in the lives. hold a grudge and keep working, so middle of the week,” Schneider said. Rehearsals have many components, TWINDA MURRY | DIRECTOR we are all very friendly with each other.” but tend to focus on a couple specific While the group forms bonds, goals. One of these goals is playing the music repeatedly to help the players memorize it. “The goal is to, first of all, make sure we’re playing through as much of the show as possible each week,” Murry said, “because the students who play violin and viola are playing memorized.” However, rehearsals are not only for memorization. Members of Strolling Strings also have to practice moving while playing. “You’d think that just walking and playing, that should be it helps with major life skills too. For example, members gain confidence through performing. “I didn’t have a lot of confidence freshman year, and I was not great at going around the tables because I was afraid everyone was gonna hear me mess up, and it turns out if you mess up it’s okay, because someone else will be playing louder,” Schneider said. “So I got better at having confidence, and now I’m the one playing louder so that other people can mess up without having to be scared.” p illustration by | CAROLINE EDGAR