Orchestras perform in an 'ocean of strings'

Cape Girardeau Central High School orchestra director Steve Schaffner will oversee what he calls an "ocean of strings" tonight at the Central High School gymnasium.

Schaffner's combined freshman and high school orchestras will perform together in a 112-piece band for the school's spring orchestra concert and awards ceremony at 7 p.m. The concert is one of two each year at which the combined orchestras perform, giving freshmen a chance to learn from upperclassmen hands-on, Schaffner said.

The orchestras will perform between the presentation of academic awards to high school students.

A special guest performer will be Central orchestra's former director Mel Gilhaus -- Schaffner's mentor. Gilhaus will solo on the theme from "Schindler's List."

An ice cream social will follow the concert in the high school commons. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 335-8228.