To the Editor:

What a wonderful evening recently at the Bardo Arts Center. Western Carolina University School of Music presented The Symphony Band, 108 students conducted by David Starnes and Graduate Conductor Emily Talley. It was so encouraging to see these young people coming together with one goal, music!

It takes dedication, motivation, a great deal of discipline and of course practice, practice, practice to perform at the Bardo. My favorite number right after “The Star Spangled Banner” was “An American Elegy.” It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It was so moving and such an inspiration of hope. Congratulations to the students, the conductors and to the school of music.

That being said, the one disappointment was that the auditorium was not packed. I must say that those who were not in attendance missed a marvelous evening of entertainment and for those of us who were there it was a pleasure. Thank you, Western Carolina University School of Music.

Frank Parrish

Sylva