Middle school student musicians recently had the opportunity to observe and perform with the Tempest Woodwind Quintet. Band teacher Laura Jacaruso plays French horn with the group. The other musicians are Elizabeth Day (flute), Diane Baltazar (oboe), Kathryn Brannon (clarinet), and Dave Knorr (bassoon).
Jacaruso said the group taught students a little about chamber music, played for them, and also performed a selection with student musicians. Quintet members joined the band and played one of the tunes from the middle school holiday concert.
“It was a great opportunity for my students to hear a professional quintet play,” Jacaruso said. “In order to make a great sound, we need to know what one sounds like. This was a chance for that to happen. It was also a great opportunity for them to see me, their band teacher, performing. It is important to me that they see me striving to always be a better musician, the same way I ask them to do.”