The Reynoldsburg High School’s Orchestra students spent a weekend in the Windy City immersing themselves in educational opportunities and performances. Led by Orchestra Director Mrs. Kathy Vansant, students first stopped at the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital for a special performance for the patients and staff. They also enjoyed visiting with some of the residents, hearing some very interesting stories of their military life.

Next, the group took a tour of the William Harris Lee Workshop, where more than 20 luthiers craft violins, violas, and cellos using tools and techniques that have been passed down through centuries of violin-making traditions.

There was time for sightseeing at Millenium Park with pictures at The Bean sculpture before enjoying dinner at Medieval Times where students were transported back 900 years to watch performances of horseback riding and jousting.

The orchestra’s second performance of the trip was the next day, at the Field Museum of Natural History, where they performed in the shadow of Sue, the world's largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex. After some time spent at the Magnificent Mile and the John Hancock Building (where many students and parents were daring enough to brave “The Tilt!”) and some famous Chicago deep-dish pizza, the orchestra was able to experience hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center, where they enjoyed an all Beethoven performance under the baton of conductor Riccardo Muti, Music Director Emeritus for Life, who has conducted more than 550 concerts with the CSO. 

The trip ended with a collegiate orchestral clinic with Matthew Sheppard, artistic director of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra at the University of Chicago.