Preparing to perform

Performers during the upcoming Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School fall orchestra concert on Tuesday, Oct. 6 include (front row, from left) Sarah Gazaway, Preston Church, Marcus Brennon, Caleb Gazaway, and (back row, from left) Tanner Beckham, Kyle Perry, Jashua Pytlowany and Charlie Sercer. Absent when the photo was taken were Jordan Traxler and Kai Simmons-Mims. The concert will be the orchestra's first performance of the year. (Tribune photo/Jason E. Silvers)

Countless hours of instruction and practice have added up to one moment.

Next week, it's showtime.

A group of Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School orchestra students are currently preparing for their upcoming fall concert, their first performance of the year, which is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the FSMS commons area, 1105 E. 12th St.

USD 234 orchestra instructor Jane Williams said students will perform a variety of classical and modern pieces, as well as easy listening songs during the special concert.

"Friends and family are invited to this first performance of the school year that includes music appealing to everyone," Williams said in a statement.

An interest in music runs in the family for orchestra member and bassist Jashua Pytlowany, an eighth grader at FSMS.

"I've always wanted to be like my brother a little bit, and see how all the notes come together," he said.

Charlie Sercer, a violinist and senior at FSHS, said he has enjoyed playing music for several years.

"I've been playing since the fifth grade," he said. "I like to perform and how all the sounds come together," he said.

Pytlowany said he would like to continue performing in the orchestra throughout high school, but said he is unsure about whether he will play professionally or not. Sercer, a two-year winner of the Kansas Music Educators Association Student Composition Competition first place award, said he may possibly pursue a career as a music teacher.

Both students said Williams has been key in helping them develop their musical skills.

"She's been really helpful," Pytlowany said.

Sercer added, "She really cares about what we do."

Next week's concert performance will feature the eighth grade cello and string bass ensemble including Preston Church, Marcus Brennon, and Tanner Beckham on the cello, and Kyle Perry, Jordan Traxler and Pytlowany on the string bass. The FSHS orchestra will perform a "Concerto Grosso" featuring solo performances by Sercer on the violin, Kai Simmons-Mims on the viola and Beckham on the cello.

FSHS student Sarah Gazaway and FSMS student Caleb Gazaway will dance the "Tango D'Amour" to close out the evening's performance.