MASSENA -- The Massena Central School Orchestra Recruitment Tour is scheduled for this Friday, May 12.

The orchestra for students in grades 5 through 12 will perform throughout the day at all four of the district’s elementaries.

The tour is staged to give the young musicians in the group the chance to practice performing orchestral music they will play at their May 24th concert, and to perhaps encourage those elementary students in the audience to join the band when they enter fifth grade.

The school orchestra has conducted the recruitment tour of the elementary schools since 2004.

“The tour allows the orchestra to perform multiple times for different crowds of students that would probably not be able to attend a high school concert. Some kids have never seen an orchestra. So we bring the concert to them,” said director Amalio “Mario” Pratti.

Pratti said that while the musicians perform, they demonstrate how each instrument of the orchestra is played, including the various types of sounds it can make, and how each of their sounds are combined to create a musical piece.

“I use the analogy of baking a cake -- many ingredients which seem simple in their basic form -- are combined to create a masterpiece,” said Pratti.

Elementary students who play instruments and sing are also showcased during the tour, and are sometimes invited on stage to perform with the orchestra.

The older students are also able to interact with the younger musicians, answering questions and sharing ideas, and offering technical help on their playing technique, said the director.

During the performances, fourth grade audience members are encouraged to consider choosing an instrument and participate in chorus when they begin fifth grade in the fall.

“This tour allows the audience to have a powerful experience with the instruments up close and personal. It's my hope that they will have a better chance at making a wise decision on choosing an instrument that will be part of their life forever,” Pratti said.

“By providing the tour to our kids, we are hopefully planting the seeds of the next generation of performers.”