AMORY – Outreach to area children is a passion of Tupelo Symphony Orchestra Conductor Steven Byess.

He was in Amory on Oct. 14 and 15 visiting East Amory Elementary School in preparation of the symphony orchestra performance at the Amory High School Auditorium on Oct. 16.

Byess said he thought it was important for the young students to learn the different sections of the orchestra. He shared with them the four sections are woodwind, brass, strings, and percussion.

The theme for the concert was “Beat in Music.”

This is the third season the symphony has performed for schools. In the past the performances have been in Tupelo, but this was the first time to perform in Amory.

“I like to visit schools so the students see a familiar face in the orchestra,” Byess said.

The symphony performance was made possible through the efforts of the Amory Children’s Symphony Committee,grants from the Gilmore Foundation, Danny Spreitler, Amory Federal Savings and Loan, Cadence Bank, Community Bank, Renasant Bank, Linda Reich, Amory Junior Auxiliary, and Amory Rotary Club.

“It is quite a dream for us to come and share our music with your community,” Byess told the audience of students and community guests.

Plans are already underway for the symphony to come to Amory next year.