Oct. 7, 2024 -- Fourth and fifth graders at Fairfax recently had the chance to travel around the world … not on an airplane, but through music. With a visit from Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra, students were able to experience “Fiddle Fiesta! Music from Mediterranean Lands.”

They learned about the geography and cultures of Egypt, Greece, Italy and Spain, especially typical instruments and musical elements of those countries. According to Apollo’s Fire, “dueling fiddles join with the medieval harp, cello and guitar, as we discover the lively music and culture of this beautiful region.”

Students studied maps of the area around the Mediterranean Sea and learned new vocabulary related to the music of the region. They then witnessed a highly energetic and interactive performance in their school gym, which featured exposure to some foreign languages and learning an ancient Italian dance called the Galliard.

Apollo’s Fire engaged students with descriptions of the folk stories behind various musical pieces and included participatory elements as tapping along, moving to music, and singing with the vocal artists. According to music teacher Tamar Gray, who coordinated the free workshop, “the performers commented on the attentiveness of our students and the in-depth questions they asked.”