EV Musicians Stroll Into Recording Studio

Bare feet tapped silently to the beat of “New York, New York” as the East Valley Strolling Strings started day two of recording for their first fund-raising CD.

“It’s different from strolling because we can’t make a sound,” said senior Diana Francis, a Strolling Strings cello player.

“We couldn’t clack the instruments, couldn’t touch the stands, couldn’t rustle the music.”

Normally the 37 East Valley High School orchestra members perform their songs from memory, on their feet, moving about a room.

“We usually have a lot of interaction with the audience,” said junior Kathy Bula, a violin player. “They can ask us questions. We get to meet new people.”

The musicians often stop playing and visit with audience members, who this year ranged from those at the United Way recognition luncheon to residents of the Riverview Terrace Retirement Center. When a musician is ready to rejoin the piece, he listens to their director, Marla Pflanz, leading on piano.

There were hints of that relaxed atmosphere last week as recording professionals Joel and Allan MacDonald set up their equipment.

A few students danced as they warmed up their instruments, and others joined together to play bits of their favorite songs. But once tape was rolling, professionalism reigned.

“The first session took about half the time I thought it would take,” said Joel MacDonald of MCCBS, a recording company located in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. “All I had to do afterward was tone down the high frequencies a little,”

MacDonald said he heard none of the harsh sounds overused violin strings often add to a recording.

Pflanz started East Valley’s Strolling Strings program when she joined the district in 1988. She was fresh from a Wisconsin workshop led by James “Red” McLeod, an early proponent of high school strolling programs.

“In 1992, Pflanz took her strollers to the national Strolling Strings convention in Kansas. While there, McLeod composed a piece for the East Valley group called “The Spokane Song.”

“It is a way to introduce ourselves to people who aren’t familiar with our area,” said John Lee, a junior at East Valley High who plays the violin.

The group recorded the piece, which contains lyrics like, “We can boast of our Centennial Trail/ Paradise here is not a fairy tale,” for its CD last Thursday. The rest of the songs are instrumental.

The strollers are trying to raise money for a trip to the Kansas convention next year.

“When Ms. Pflanz asked if we wanted to record a CD, I was thinking, `Are we good enough?’ But my doubts faded fast.” said Lee. “More people were showing up for the morning practice, and I knew we’d do great.”

Lee said he loved the recording experience.

“We played one song after another,” he said. “It was like a natural high.”

This sidebar appeared with the story:

FUND-RAISING CD

Strolling Strings

East Valley High School’s Strolling Strings orchestra group has recorded a CD, which the group is selling to help raise money for a trip to a national music convention in Kansas City next year.

Those interested in helping can pre-order the $15 CD by calling the Marcie Pflanz at 924-1830. The pre-sale ends July 28. The CDs will be available after Aug. 30.