LHS Orchestra Brings Music to Peruvian Children

After an unexpected event prevented orchestra from taking a trip to Lake Titicaca during their Peru visit, the students took an extended stay in the Peruvian city of Cuzco where they performed for a Catholic girls’ orphanage.

“It was a real heartwarming experience,” said Jeremy Marino,

After an unexpected event prevented orchestra from taking a trip to Lake Titicaca during a Peru visit, the students took an extended stay in the Peruvian city of Cuzco, where they performed for a Catholic girls’ orphanage.

“It was a real heartwarming experience,” Jeremy Marino, Libertyville High School's orchestra director, said of the experience. “They had never heard of Bach or Mozart. We got to share this experience with people who are really appreciative, who don’t get to hear this kind of music.”

The students brought toys and stuffed animals for the girls in addition to performing the concert.

Communicating Through Music

“Just to see the little girls loving the music, even though none of them spoke English,” said senior Liz Shull. “We could talk to them through the music.”

The orchestra also played concerts at a music school in Cuzco and a private school in Lima.

“It was a lot of fun getting to know their lifestyle, what their schools are like, and how they learn music,” said sophomore Theresa Manfredini. “They play more folks songs and we play more classical. We had practiced one of their folks songs before our trip, and when we were there, we played it together.”

“Those are the best kind of concerts,” Marino said. “As opposed to Vienna, where they see lots of concerts, in a small town it’s more intimate.”

Seeing a Whole New World

Aside from sharing music with Peruvians, the group also spent time hiking through Incan ruins and to Machu Picchu.

“Machu Picchu was probably the most spectacular sight I’ve ever seen in all of the trips we’ve taken,” Marino said. “The natural, pristine surroundings and the setting were just astonishing. You think you’ve seen all of the pictures of it, and you think you’re going to know what it looks like, and still you find yourself saying, ‘This is amazing.’ ”

Libertyville High School orchestra travels abroad every other summer, and Marino strives to bring the students to a unique place each time.

Exploring New Places

“My favorite thing about Mr. Marino is that his main goal is to get us somewhere where we’ll never go again in our lifetime,” Shull said. “I’m not a city girl, so I like exploring these different places.”

Two years ago, the orchestra traveled to Greece with 30 students. This year, with only 19 students traveling, Shull says the small group grew close as an orchestra.

“This was the time to see some amazing cultural things. That was kind of the feel of the whole trip,” Marino said. “In Lima, the students ate lunch together. It was good for high school students to see other kids doing what they’re doing in a different land. They realized that this is bigger than just what they do in fourth period every day.”

Libertyville High School's orchestra director, of the experience. “They had never heard of Bach or Mozart. We got to share this experience with people who are really appreciative, who don’t get to hear this kind of music.”

The students brought toys and stuffed animals for the girls in addition to playing a concert.

Communicating Through Music

“Just to see the little girls loving the music, even though none of them spoke English,” said senior Liz Shull. “We could talk to them through the music.”

The orchestra also played concerts at a music school in Cuzco and a private school in Lima.

“It was a lot of fun getting to know their lifestyle, what their schools are like, and how they learn music,” said sophomore Theresa Manfredini. “They play more folks songs and we play more classical. We had practiced one of their folks songs before our trip, and when we were there, we played it together.”

“Those are the best kind of concerts,” Marino said. “As opposed to Vienna, where they see lots of concerts, in a small town it’s more intimate.”

Seeing a Whole New World

Aside from sharing music with Peruvians, the group also spent time hiking through Incan ruins and to Machu Picchu.

“Machu Picchu was probably the most spectacular sight I’ve ever seen in all of the trips we’ve taken,” Marino said. “The natural, pristine surroundings and the setting were just astonishing. You think you’ve seen all of the pictures of it, and you think you’re going to know what it looks like, and still you find yourself saying, ‘This is amazing.’”

Libertyville High School orchestra travels abroad every other summer, and Marino strives to bring the students to a unique place each time.

Exploring New Places

“My favorite thing about Mr. Marino is that his main goal is to get us somewhere where we’ll never go again in our lifetime,” Shull said. “I’m not a city girl, so I like exploring these different places.”

Two years ago, the orchestra traveled to Greece with 30 students. This year, with only 19 students traveling, Shull says the small group grew close as an orchestra.

“This was the time to see some amazing cultural things. That was kind of the feel of the whole trip,” Marino said. “In Lima, the students ate lunch together. It was good for high school students to see other kids doing what they’re doing in a different land. They realized that this is bigger than just what they do in fourth period everyday.”