PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZPlaying in the Northampton Area School District’s 2025 strings showcase concert, held Feb. 28 in the gymnasium at Northampton Area Middle School, are brothers (center, left to right) Jashime Wedderburn, a senior playing the violin; Jace Wedderburn, a seventh-grader playing the cello; and Julius Wedderburn, a fifth-grader playing the viola. Completing this musically talented family are proud parents, Susan and Jay.

The Northampton Area High School orchestra, under the direction of Kristy Young, performs a last-minute rehearsal before the start of Northampton Area School District’s strings showcase concert, held Feb. 28 in the gymnasium at Northampton Area Middle School, 1617 Laubach Ave. The event featured more than 300 string instrumental students from the elementary, middle and high school orchestras.

Ezekiel Knerr provides accompaniment on the tambourine during the middle school’s string instrument performance of “Oompa Loopa” from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Madison Stockwell, a fourth-grade student at Moore Elementary School and a member of the elementary orchestra, tunes her violin before playing in the concert.

NAMS orchestra viola players are excited to put on their best performance showcasing their dedication and hard work. The group performed patriotic variations of “America” during their portion of the concert.

A group of NAHS orchestra musicians gather for a group photo before the start of the concert.

RSeventh- and eighth-grade cellists prepare to take the stage. The group is under the direction of Patricia Risley.

Risley, director of the NAMS orchestra, directs her students in the performance of patriotic variations of “America.” The strings showcase concert has a special connection to her since her mother, Kathleen Risley, was a music teacher in the school district and began the orchestra music program almost 20 years ago. It has grown from a single instructor to four instructors, which include Risley, Susan Lischner, Ryan Mertz and Kristy Young.