The Caribou Middle School string students are busy preparing their music for the ASTA Statewide String Festival, on Saturday, May 8. This year the host school will be Old Orchard Beach High School.

     The festival is non-competitive and can involve upwards of 300 students or more.

     There are five different orchestra levels, beginning with the youngest students performing simple tunes such as "Old Mac Donald" and "Twinkle Little Star".  The level 5 orchestra usually is made up of advanced middle school and high school students. Music for this orchestra is the more difficult music often performed by large group orchestras and district level orchestras.  Guest conductors are chosen from around the state, much like our All-Aroostook Music Festival.

     Coming from a community with little exposure to large performing string orchestras, this trip allows our students the opportunity to see and be part of such a group.  Caribou students have been attending this festival annually for the past 10-plus years.  Students anxiously look forward to this event.