Maestro Hector Guzman, the conductor of the San Angelo Symphony, visited Wall Elementary to speak about the performance to fourth grade music students before their trip to Murphey Hall on Friday, January 27. 

“I definitely think his visit made a huge difference for our kids,” elementary music teacher Deja Armstrong said. “They were way more engaged in the performance because they had a personal connection of having Maestro Guzman right here in our little school.”

Guzman spoke with two music classes on Thursday prior to the symphony field trip. 

“He talked about what type of music we are going to hear, and he showed us a piano and what he can play on the piano,” fourth grader Presley Crow said. “He described the different types of music and families.”

According to fourth-grader Hannah Wilson, it is hard to realize how much practice it takes to play in the symphony. 

“I learned that a 15-year-old girl can play the flute really well,” Wilson said. “The flute was my favorite instrument because it had this nice, pretty sound.”

Junior Rease Dickey accompanied the fourth grade class to Murphey Hall, and she said the kids could not contain their excitement. 

“They kept trying to get up and copy the conductor’s hand motions,” Dickey said. “Even though they are very professional and classy, the conductor tried to make it where the kids were interested in learning the music from composers all around the world.”

Armstrong said the symphony was a great way to teach kids audience and etiquette, skills she is required to emphasize to elementary music students. 

“Most of our students have not even been to the Murphey auditorium, much less a symphony performance,” Armstrong said. “I really get to give the kids a cultural experience and help them nurture a love of music and wonder.”