The Community School of the Arts, comprised of middle and high school students, performed their Sinfonia concert at Northern Illinois University on Wednesday.

The short presentation showcased the talent of the young musicians as violinists, cellists, horn players and percussionists took the stage. The five song concert consisted of longer, vivid pieces that were smooth and seemed effortless to the performers.

The notes were incredibly clean and crisp coming from the graceful violins and booming cellos. The brass players showed through the large string section and performed just as strongly.

A collection of songs graced the ears of the audience members as the band performed a wide

range of tunes, including a slower, melodic Beethoven piece, a medium tempo, march-like tune entitled “American Salute” and a finale consisting of “Imperial March” (Darth Vader’s Theme).

One could feel the warmth of the music as it flowed through the concert hall. In some instances, it felt as though you were sitting in an opera house, while others felt as if they were in the middle of a battleground due to the pulsing tempo.

The song selection was great and put a spin on the traditional band concert. These students showcased their talent extraordinarily well and seemed pleased with the outcome of the performance. They even incorporated a typewriter in one of the selections, played by a guest musician.

Talent doesn’t take years; some are born with it, a statement The Community School of the Arts can attest to. These students were young, but one could see the passion they had for the music that they were performing all night long.