By Payton Tholstrup

Strings4Kids! will be performing at the Clay Center Carnegie Library on Friday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. This performance will feature short solos played on orchestra string instruments.

The program is in its third year and is presented by the Friends of the Clay Center Carnegie Library. There is no cost to attend. Children’s Librarian, Pixie Knepper, and Dr. Anne Clark initiate the program.

Instruments featured include violins, violas, and the string bass. A brief musical drama, “Plankton Waltz”, written by Janet Williams, a college friend of Dr. Anne Clark’s, will be performed.

“In this work, a whale (played by cello and bass) is feeding on time plankton (keyboard, violins, and violas). As it feeds the instruments ‘disappear’ by stopping playing, until all that remains is a full whale, who gives a big burp-like sound of satisfaction as the ending.”

After the performances, children ages 6 and up will be able to have a mini-lesson with one of the musicians on a small string instrument.

The concert’s musicians are from Junction City, Manhattan, Linn and Palmer, Morganville, Wakefield, and Clay Center. The Community Chamber Orchestra has been in operation since 1997. It features musicians of all ages, and they play without a conductor.

Musicians include the following:

Violinists Imary Ahorro, Anneke Bailey, Paul Peppers, Mary Allen (all of Manhattan), violinist Kevin Cordray (Wakefield), cellist Diane Hayes (Linn/Palmer), violist Erica Carter (Junction City), violist Knox Condray (Clay Center), string bassist Kellen Condray (Clay Center), and cellist Dr. Anne Clark (Morganville). Imary Ahorro will also play the keyboard.