
Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Concert master violinist Betsy Metcalf listens to direction from Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer Thursday. Maestro Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebird‚" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Violinist Sara D'Anella follows along Thursday. Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer directs members of the Cottonwood High School symphony to help the musicians bring to life Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” through the first “Adopt a School” pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state’s largest “Super Orchestra.”

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer is helping to hone the skills of Cottonwood High School symphony musicians in bringing to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Cellist AJ Russo reacts to Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer's direction on Thursday. Fischer is lending his expertise to the Cottonwood High School symphony to help the musicians bring to life StravinskyÕs ÒThe FirebirdÓ through the first ÒAdopt a SchoolÓ pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the stateÕs largest ÒSuper Orchestra.Ó

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Tuba player Preston Palmer takes a deep breath before hitting his notes Thursday at practice. Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer directs members of the Cottonwood High School symphony to help the musicians bring to life StravinskyÕs ÒThe FirebirdÓ through the first ÒAdopt a SchoolÓ pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the stateÕs largest ÒSuper Orchestra.Ó

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune "He wasn't as mean as I think he can be," said cellist Jacob Pehrson regarding Thursday's practice session with Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer. "He's understanding, is what I am trying to say." Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer helps members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune “The notion of transmitting our experiences, our knowledge, our passion, our dreams to the younger generation is a unique feeling. I feel rewarded to be able to spend my time with them. I really enjoy working with kids who are so energized, said Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer. Fischer helped members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune French horn player Charlotte Drury makes notations on her sheet of music after Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer told her she "ate a beat." Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Trumbone player Logan Luker is reflected in his bandmate's trumbone during Thursday's practice session with Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer. Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Symphony Music Director Thierry Fischer gets a glance after entering the practice session on Thursday. Fischer is helping members of the Cottonwood High School symphony bring to life Stravinsky's "The Firebirdâ" through the first Adopt a School pilot program. They will culminate in the performance of the piece on May 20, with Maestro Fischer conducting the live streamed event to other participating Utah orchestras who will be following along as the state's largest "Super Orchestra."
They knew what to expect from the maestro, and in a flick and a roll of his hands, Cottonwood High School symphony musicians gave Utah Symphony Director Thierry Fischer their best.
Fischer is giving hands-on training to Cottonwood’s symphony through a new “Adopt a School” pilot program’s education initiative that aims to engage and inspire students in classical music.
In their second meeting on Thursday, the musicians put the finishing touches on the “Berceuse and Finale” from Igor Stravinsky’s "Firebird Suite” that will be conducted by Fischer on May 20 and live streamed to other participating Utah orchestras who will follow along, as part of the state’s largest “super orchestra.”