Students at Apollo Elementary in Aledo had the opportunity to experience live orchestral music firsthand during Symphony Day, a special event hosted by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The event, held last Thursday, brought together fourth and fifth graders from across the region for an interactive musical experience.
“Symphony Day is a day that the Quad City Symphony puts on for fourth and fifth graders all around the Quad Cities area,” said Apollo Elementary music teacher Kristen Reick. “The fourth and fifth graders get to participate from their seats with the symphony. So they get to sing along to songs, they get to play recorders with songs, and they get to do some body percussion to some of the songs.”
This year’s Symphony Day set a record, with 7,000 students in attendance. Among them were several Apollo Elementary students, who shared their excitement about the experience.
A Memorable Experience
Fifth-grader Quinn said she had “a really good time” attending Symphony Day with her classmates. “I love all the music that they played there and all the instruments,” she said. “It’s really cool that all of the people that play in the symphony got all the schools together just to listen to all their music.”
For fellow student Lilah, learning about different styles of music was a highlight of the event. “I loved learning the difference between the swing music and then the other music,” she said. “It was really fun and really cool to learn.”
Students weren’t just spectators—they were also participants in the performance. “We got to sing some,” Lilah added. “We were also able to play our recorders to it. I just liked the singing part.”
Inspiring Future Musicians
For Patrick, another student in attendance, the experience sparked an interest in percussion. “I really like the drums,” he said, adding that he found the entire event exciting. “I’ve always thought it was cool how all those people have to work together to come to one sound.”
When asked if he saw himself playing in an orchestra one day, Patrick remained undecided but left the door open to future musical pursuits.
With its blend of live performance, participation, and musical education, Symphony Day left a lasting impression on Apollo Elementary students. Events like this help inspire young minds and introduce them to the power of live music—an experience many won’t soon forget.