Reaching Musical Heights Concert Moves Audience

She still had watery, red eyes several minutes after the performance ended.

“I do every time, the whole entire time,” said Denise Jackson, wiping her eyes with her finger. “Every single time it makes you so proud to be a part of this community.”

She’s a veteran — one of her children has performed in every concert.

“The last song was so awesome, but at the same time, kind of sad because it’s over,” she said. “They’re all so gifted.”

Jackson watched as her son and more than 400 other students from the performed in front of parents, teachers, school officials and friends Monday at the third Reaching Musical Heights concert.

The event, sponsored by Reaching Heights, is once every four years, and students in elementary, middle and high school get the opportunity to perform in Severance Hall, where the Cleveland Orchestra plays.

Money from the ticket sales support Reaching Heights’ music camps and scholarships, tutoring classes, grants to teachers and other programs that benefit the public schools. Executive Director Patrick Mullen said they sold more than 1,300 tickets this year. The exact proceeds will not be known until next week, he said. 

People who were not able to attend the show or those who want a copy can purchase DVDs on the organization's website.

Speakers that evening praised the CHUH School District and Reaching Heights for not only keeping, but continuing to enhance the district’s well-known music program as other school systems have made cuts when faced with slashed budgets. 

Elementary, middle and high school students hit a range of genres, including classical, jazz and gospel, and sang and played a variety of string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The Elementary Honor Choir had students from all seven K-5 schools in the district, and the Middle School Honor Orchestra and 9th Grade and Honor Choir included tweens and teens from all three middle schools and some from high school.

“I know we’re all so grateful to have a music program like this one, because we all know how much music enriches the lives of our children,” said Kim Wheeler, the master of ceremonies and news anchor for Channel 3. 

As the Middle School Honor Orchestra students waited for the choir to settle behind them and their cue to tune their instruments, some peered out into the audience, looking for familiar faces.  Others sat straight, staring at the music ahead of them. A few tapped their feet on the ground, and no one was smiling. They were preparing to play, trying to stay focused.

As soon as the first-chair violinist walked on stage, the students erupted in smiles and pounded the ground with their feet to applaud him. The nervous anticipation was almost over.

Once the bows glided across the strings, the nerves seemed to melt away and they played confidently and professionally.

When the Heights High Symphony and A Cappella Choir and Singers gathered on stage, they appeared calm, focused and ready. The audience could see how students develop over the years, watching the transitions of the child, tween and teen players. 

“I’m really looking forward to her being involved in the program in middle school and beyond. I’m just astounded,” said Jennifer Jackson as she picked up pink and yellow roses she had brought for her daughter, Angelina, a fifth-grader in the Elementary Honor Choir. 

One of the most powerful moments of the evening that made the audience erupt in cheers, applause and whistles was when the Heights High A Cappella Choir and Singers flawlessly sang the quick tempo spiritual Elijah Rock.  

“That was fabulous,” someone said in the audience.

Parents and friends waited outside of the concert hall for their students after the performance.

“It’s amazing. I’m always impressed with the talent at the school,” said Sherri Steffen, who was waiting for her daughter, a senior in the Singers. “I love watching the kids.”