SHS Orchestra to perform with Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road
(Stillwater, Oklahoma) The Stillwater High School Philharmonic String Orchestra has added a special concert to their calendar this spring. On Monday, April 3, guest artists Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road will join the Pioneer musicians on stage.
“This event is going to be a real treat for the audience and performers alike.” says Orchestra Director Scott Jackson.
“Stillwater’s orchestra hosted Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road, five years ago, and the group is simply phenomenal,” according to Jackson. “The music and message they share in their performance is uplifting and energizing. They relate to the students on a personal level during rehearsal, then deliver a highly memorable performance later in the evening.”
“On a personal level, Peter Markes and Kyle are friends from my own school orchestra days back in Enid,” he says. “That fact just deepens the joy we have in making this music together again.”
Known as “Oklahoma's Musical Ambassador,” Dillingham has shared music in 42 countries. He has performed for world leaders including the King of Malaysia, the Princess of Thailand, and the Thai and Saudi Arabian Ambassadors. He is a member of the Country Music Association, the Recording Academy, the Gospel Music Association, and the Americana Music Association.
Dillingham, who started playing the violin at age nine, was featured twice at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry while still in high school. He has performed with music legends Roy Clark and Hank Thompson, and is the first performer to ride onto and off of the Grand Ole Opry stage on a skateboard.
“In my view, Kyle and his bandmates are people who found something they truly love to do, and then jumped into it with both feet, grinning ear-to-ear,” says Jackson. “They have worked hard along the way to be the artists they are, certainly, but I know how much they enjoyed each step of that journey. That is just one part of the impactful message they are bringing to our students.”
Jackson says the event is made possible by funds donated from Oklahoma State University’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.
“In the fall, Freshman Follies generated an amazing $90,000, which it donated to SHS performing arts programs,” he says. “Orchestra, Band, Choir, Drama, and Tech Theatre and the Performing Arts Center building itself have all benefited from that donation. We are immensely grateful for OSU Freshman Follies outreach to Stillwater Performing Arts. Bringing this unique learning experience to our students and providing our community with this outstanding musical performance is a direct result of their generosity.”
The performers will take the stage on Monday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the SHS Performing Arts Center. General admission is $10 for individuals or $20 per household. 75% of ticket sales will be donated to Stillwater Makes a Change in support of Kickin’ Childhood Hunger.
Cash, checks made payable to SHS Orchestra, and credit cards will be accepted at the door. Doors open at 6:20 p.m. For a speedier entry, pre-payment may be made by sending a cash or check payment to SHS Orchestra, c/o Scott Jackson, Stillwater High School, 1224 N. Husband St., Stillwater OK, 74075. Those choosing this method, should include a list of names attending in your payment envelope.
More information about Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road can be found at https://www.kyledillingham.us.