For the second year in a row The Springfield Symphony was hired to play for a commencement and we did it last night. It’s an enormous event and the response to our presence and our performance like last year was overwhelming. More overwhelming to me though is the college that asked us…
Many cities have Technical Colleges, ours is called Ozarks Technical Community College and they are a big presence in our community. They’ve had enormous growth over the past few years and with a great and well deserved reputation plus a dynamic president Hal Higdon, their potential is enormous. At first I thought it was odd that we would even be asked to play at their commencement. They have a small arts program with a dedicated facility, but the majority of the students studies are in the areas of practical skills needed for technicians, skilled manual labor, the medical community, education, business and the service industry. After we were there last year, I realized it was exactly where we needed to perform. They are the community’s college, and we are the community’s orchestra. For many at the ceremony it might have been the first time they had ever seen or heard a live orchestra and I am honored that we were asked to do it. Here is a list of the some areas that students last night were graduating in, areas of vital importance which we all come into contact with directly or indirectly throughout our lives:
- Accounting
- Auto Collision Repair and Automotive Technology
- Business and Marketing
- Business Systems Technology
- Construction Technology
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Drafting and Design Technology
- Early Childhood Development
- Electronic Media Production
- Electronics and Computer Repair Technology
- Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic
- Graphic Design
- Health Information Technology
- Hospitality Management
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Surgical Technology
We were a part of one of the most important events in these young (most of them) and vital people’s lives, and possibly the proudest moment of their families lives. Graduating is an event not many forget either. Think about our audiences now, and I bet if they listed their professions, the same list as above would appear. To be a part of that was not only a great honor, but it made us feel special because it made us feel relevant! They have asked us back next year…we are so there!