Lima Symphony Orchestra shares their music with over 3,000 area students

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Downtown Lima was all a buzz as thousands of students converged on the Veteran's Memorial Civic Center.

It was the annual Young People's Concert performed by the Lima Symphony Orchestra. More than 3,000 students attended the event, where it was the first time some of them had ever heard an orchestra. Schools from around the region have made this an annual event for their kids. Guest conductor Karl Hirzer says it's important to introduce students to a variety of music at this age.

It's really a pivotal part of growing up and learning how to be a creative person. I think that the arts offer people ways to express themselves, and I think, especially as you're growing up and trying to kind of figure out who you are and how you identify in the world, music and the arts are really there for you to help you find your path," stated Karl Hirzer, guest conductor.

"I saw like a lot of instruments. I thought it was very cool. I saw the violin; it was actually pretty cool. It was like a lot of sounds and a lot of sweet music," commented Makiyla Ware, a student at Lima Independence.

"It was fun. I saw violins, flutes, tubas; it was good," said J'Shawn Roeder, a student at Lima Independence.

The Lima Symphony kicks off their 2024-2025 season Saturday night with "Electric Love," featuring electric violinist Tracy Silverman and guest conductor Karl Hirzer, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Crouse Performance Hall.