FCDS Upper School Orchestra Performs Commissioned Piece, the Skye Walker Suite
The FCDS Orchestra premiered a commissioned original piece, Skye Walker Suite, at their concert on April 26. The students worked with composer Luke Benton since the beginning of the school year to create the music.
“This project gave our students an opportunity to see what actually goes into the creation of music,” said Mr. Aaron Craven, Orchestra Director. “Instead of pulling music from out of a library for the spring concert cycle, we decided to delve deeper and explore the compositional process: from finding a qualified composer, raising the money to pay that composer, and identifying the inspiration to create the music itself. Overall, this project has been an immense success.”
The finished work, a four movement suite entitled the Skye Walker Suite, is heavily influenced by the composer’s many trips to Skye, Scotland. The music fuses traditional Scottish fiddle techniques with modern hip-hop harmonies and rhythms. “It is a personal and exciting piece for me and I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” said Benton.
The first draft was presented by Dr. Benton in January. “When we started working on the piece in January, the students had an opportunity to make suggestions on what worked for them and what didn’t. It was exciting to see them work with Dr. Benton and have him go back and make changes based on the students' suggestions,” said Mr. Craven. “The students have really embraced the music and have enjoyed working through the process of commissioning a piece of music.”
The Upper School Orchestra students were joined by special guest, Corine Brouwer, the Concertmaster of the Winston-Salem Symphony, for the performance. Watch the debut performance here!
Thank you to our generous parents for supporting this wonderful initiative and special experience for our students!
Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, college preparatory, independent school for preschool through high school located in Lewisville, NC, just outside of Winston-Salem. Students benefit from a challenging academic curriculum, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
