SILER CITY, N.C. — Fifteen local musicians — nearly all students and faculty at Chatham County Schools — will perform in the pit orchestra for the Jordan-Matthews High School production of “Matilda: The Musical.” Performances of the beloved Broadway musical are March 14 through 16 at the Jordan-Matthews Auditorium in Siler City.
Coming off wide acclaim for the school’s North Carolina high school premiere of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” last spring, Dr. Zachary D. Wills returns to lead the pit orchestra for the school’s upcoming production of “Matilda” with Jordan-Matthews band director Aaron Partin serving as the production’s technical director.
Wills, band director at Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek, will conduct an orchestra featuring eight students, four faculty members, one leader of the Northwood Arts Foundation, one community musician and one Chatham County Schools retiree. Together, the orchestra represents seven different schools.
Orchestra members are Nickleus Castevens, Rebecca Clemens, Abby Cockrum, Gina Harrison, Winston Hendricks, Emmaus Holder, Jacob Hoopes, Lisa Johnson, Andrew Kosturi, Ophelia Ledford, Cameron Parker, Kelsey Parsons, Gabriel Thao, Maxy Vasquez Gomez and Wills.
Wills particularly enjoys the music for ‘Matilda’ because of its broad and engaging style. “Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin created a profound composition on numerous levels with ‘Matilda,’” he says. “Their pithy approach to writing, text painting, and thematic writing reminiscent of Wagnerian compositions and modern movie scores, creates a fun and memorable experience for all involved. Everything from circus music to swing, to Latin styles, to beautiful ballads is included in the score.”
JMArts President Rose Pate, who produces the musical, is thrilled to have Wills conducting once again in a production that highlights and celebrates the entire community. Not only does the pit orchestra draw from musicians all across Chatham, but the live music was possible because of a Grassroots Grant from the Chatham Arts Council. The matching grant allows JMArts to provide the professional musicians a small stipend for the considerable time and expertise they invest in providing a richer theatrical production and this unusual performance opportunity for student musicians and actors.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our young musicians,” Pate says. “Students get to rehearse and perform with trained professionals, helping them learn how to attack a complex Broadway score. And our actors love the chance to perform with a live orchestra. This collaboration brings out the best in both groups, and we're grateful to the Chatham Arts Council for their support to make it all happen.”
“Matilda” performances are Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 15, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are now on sale at JMArtsTickets.com. More about “Matilda” and other JMArts projects to create opportunity for Jordan-Matthews artists is available at jmarts.org and through social media @JMHSArts on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
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