From left, violin student Jade Trostle and Bedford Symphony flutist Cameron Mearkle participate in the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” along with seven members of the Bedford High School Band, including Summer Herline, Madeline Ritchey, Madison Jones, J.J. Pencil, Adam Wolfhope, Gabe Mitchel and Karenah Muir. Courtesy photo

BEDFORD — Young and old alike enjoyed experimenting with all kinds of musical instruments during an “instrument petting zoo” presented by The Bedford Symphony before its first concert held at the Bedford High School auditorium. The concert, titled “A Night at the Movies,” was held Saturday evening, Oct. 19.

The concert, conducted by Shannen Billie, who joined the teaching staff at the Bedford Middle School this year as chorus director, featured movie soundtrack themes such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, James Bond, The Addams Family, Pixar, The Pink Panther, Rocky, Mary Poppins and more.

“You would never know that we’ve been in existence for just two short years,” said Billie. “The caliber of musicianship that these people bring to the stage every performance is really incredible and Saturday’s performance was the ultimate example of that.”

“I also think that the audience really enjoyed the movie-themed pieces this time,” said Bedford Symphony President Karen Semanek. “People can really relate to them and they know them well, so that made it fun for everyone.”

Current Bedford High School Band members who exhibited their various musical instruments from the high school band at the petting zoo in the hallway beside the auditorium included J.J. Pencil, Adam Wolfhope, Summer Herline, Madeline Ritchey, Madison Jones, Gabe Mitchel and Karenah Muir. They demonstrated instruments such as tuba, baritone, percussion, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, drums and more to grade school-aged students, their families and the general public from 5:30 p.m. until the concert started at 7 p.m.

The Bedford Symphony members supplied a variety of other world instruments for the people to try such as a balalaika from Russia, a violin and cello from China, electric and acoustic guitars, a recorder, and an accordion from Germany.

Three participants in the petting zoo Adrianna Claar, Jenna Claar and Jade Trostle have been taking free violin lessons through the Bedford Symphony’s free stringed instrument lessons program and hope to play with the group some day.

“The idea behind the petting zoo was to expose younger people who may have never even seen an instrument before to many of the various possibilities there are when choosing an instrument to learn, as well as allowing people who have always wanted to try a certain instrument the opportunity to hold one in their hands and experiment with it,” said Semanek. “Our legal council, Lynn Kerr McKay, who was a former Bedford High School Band trumpet player, suggested it and it was a big hit!”

The concert even included a trumpet player, Beth Gorman, who graduated in 1970 and was in the band of the legendary first Bedford High School band director Forrest W. “Hunsie” Hunsicker, who came to Bedford High School in the 1930s.

“We owe a lot to all of our great high school band directors in the past like Mr. Hunsicker, as well as current band director Devon Lybarger,” said Semanek, “Mr. Lybarger has supported us since the beginning. We had the advantage Saturday of borrowing all the great percussion instruments that the school owns such as the glockenspiel, tympani and marimba. It really added to our sound, which was so much better in the high school auditorium than any of the venues we have played so far because it was designed for that kind of music. We are hoping this will be the first of many to come at this hall.” For Semanek, this was her first return to the Bedford High stage in 40 years. “It felt good to be back,” she said.

The Bedford Symphony sponsors free stringed instrument lessons to area residents for violin, viola, cello and bass violin. They are constantly seeking new members and encourage anyone that played in high school band to get out their old instruments, dust them off and join rehearsals Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Everett.

“The minimum requirement to join is that a player is able to play in tune and on time, other than that all are welcome,” said Semanek. “We want to continue to grow our group of musicians in the community.”

To join, apply for lessons or for more information, call 814-977-0537.