OMS Students Set Off On A One Day Concert Tour

Oskaloosa 6th Grade Orchestra Students perform at White Oak Estates Nursing Home in Oskaloosa Wednesday

Oskaloosa, Iowa – It might just be the first tour any of these aspiring 6th grade musicians have ever been on, and the limited 3 stop tour included a lunch stop for pizza as well, but with smiles and a wish to perform, they loaded their instruments onto the big yellow school bus and headed off for their first performance of the day.

The 16 orchestra students made their first stop at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center, unloaded, set up, and performed their concert for the group of residents before once again, loading all their instruments back onto the bus and heading for many people’s favorite food; pizza. “It’s the perfect size to travel with”, Orchestra Director Bruce McLellan said about the group.

“I really, really enjoyed having these school kids here”, Candice Fuller, Activity Program Director for Maple Ridge Assisted Living, explained on having the students perform for the 30 residents on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

Waiting for the students upon the completion of their concert at Maple Ridge was ice cream, as a treat and thanks for sharing their music. “We always end with ice cream, so that way they never forget us”, Fuller said. “It’s just nice to bring the community out here, because a lot of these people gave to the community for many years.”

From there they traveled to White Oak for a similar concert with the residents there.

“Just giving the kids another performance opportunity; part of it is just wanting to brighten up the day for some people and share the talents we have”, McLellan stated on why he brings the students out to perform. He also pointed out that January is a good time to come visit because many times the residents might not have as many visitors after the Christmas holiday.