Published: October 29, 2009 09:26 am      

SMART Orchestra makes concert debut

Music group an outlet for anyone interested in string study, experience

San Marcos — Local Suzuki Strings instructor Deanna Badgett calls it a historic event for San Marcos.

She and other community music leaders have fought for an open string program and orchestra for years. And when the San Marcos Artists’ Retention and Training (SMART) Orchestra takes the stage at 7 p.m. tonight at First Baptist Church in San Marcos, such visions will come to fruition.

The SMART orchestra, under the direction and leadership of Texas State University graduate student Christopher Hanson, will feature students of all ages and experience levels at its inaugural concert tonight.

“This program was designed to try to facilitate opportunities for a wide variety of people or organizations,” Hanson said. “We want this to be open to all ages and all socioeconomic levels.”

The new 30-member orchestra is open to anyone with two years of playing and reading experience, but instructors try to work with everyone who is interested in playing with the group. Ages range from elementary school students to senior citizens.

Hanson came to Texas State University two years ago to work on a master’s in education and composition. He quickly discovered that there was neither a string faculty in local public schools, nor a public group for students to perform with. Most string students were coming from private studios like Badgett’s. The ultimate goal from the beginning was to make SMART an outlet for other string programs: Once students reach a certain playing ability in their private lessons or elementary school program and want to move forward, SMART can be an outlet for them.

“We really want to design a system so that at any point any citizen of San Marcos wants to know what it is like to join a string orchestra, they can do so,” Hanson said.

When he finished his master’s last year, Hansen found that he had time to invest in a string education program.

The goal was to fill a gap between the young elementary students Badgett was instructing and the local university students.

“When I got here I saw that void, and felt the passion that it needed to be there,” Hansen said.

And since this summer, things have moved quickly. He applied for an American String Teachers Association (ASTA) grant that helps after-school music programs.

He recruited interns from the university, ending up with seven students who help facilitate rehearsals, do administrative work and even offer private lessons of their own. He also met with people like Badgett and Dr. Lynn Ledbetter, president-elect for the Texas chapter of the ASTA and strong supporter of Hanson’s program.

And now, after seven rehearsals, the SMART Orchestra is performing for the public. And Hanson said he is blown away by the progress made and the ambition of his group.

“Everything has just fallen into line. It’s one of those instances where the stars were aligned,” Hanson said. “Everyone sort of had a piece to this puzzle (of putting an orchestra together), they just needed something to put it all together.”

(Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For more information on the concert or joining the group, visit www.smartorchestra.com. The group rehearses every Thursday at San Marcos High School from 5 to 7 p.m.)