The Sherman Symphony Orchestra took the stage at Kidd-Key Auditorium, giving three local students the rare opportunity to lead the full ensemble. The event, part of the orchestra’s ongoing outreach, directly involved more than 3,000 students from 34 schools this year, highlighting a significant cultural moment for families across Sherman.
Leslie Whelan, executive director of the Sherman Symphony, explained the organization’s purpose, stating, “The Sherman Symphony Orchestra has a mission of being able to share music and music education with as many people as possible in as accessible a way as possible.” The statement reflects a long‑standing commitment to bring live orchestral experiences to the community.
Among the three student conductors was Margaret Hebda, a fifth‑grade student at Parker Elementary. Hebda swapped her piano keys for a conductor’s baton, describing music as her primary outlet at home. “Music is usually a way that I get to express myself at home. Sometimes when I’m not feeling the best, I go and play my piano,” she said. Though nervous, Hebda expressed excitement, adding, “I was excited, really. And I was just like, I can’t wait. I was very nervous, but I also knew that if I did it, it’d be really fun.”
Whelan emphasized the broader value of the experience, noting, “Having the opportunity to see a live performance is, I think, increasingly special at a time when it’s really easy to consume media in different ways. This is still really important.” The conductor‑in‑training moments, he said, help make the concerts meaningful for both participants and audience members.
The orchestra’s outreach has been building connections for 25 years, consistently creating opportunities for the next generation to engage with classical music. This year’s reach—over 3,000 students across 34 schools—demonstrates the program’s scale and its role in enriching Sherman’s cultural landscape.
Looking ahead, the Sherman Symphony remains focused on its mission to expand access to music education. While specific future dates were not announced, the organization’s stated goal suggests that additional student‑led performances and school collaborations are planned for the coming months, offering more Sherman families the chance to experience live orchestral music.
