The first Saturday of November is always a long day for students in the Lakewood High School orchestras. This year, it fell on Nov. 2, marking the date for the annual Music Marathon—a full-day fundraiser held in the Civic Auditorium and cafeteria. All orchestra students arrive at 6 a.m., spend the day practicing and playing games, and then finish the evening with a concert ending at 7 p.m. The event is one of the most anticipated dates on the orchestra calendar, combining extensive music practice with memorable moments for new and veteran orchestra members.
The band was the one to organize the first Music Marathon, initially a one-time event when the band planned a trip to London. Orchestra Director Dr. Hankins caught wind of the event and thought it was a great idea.
“The band program at the time decided not to do it,” Hankins said. “So I just picked it up.” Throughout the years, Music Marathon has become one of the biggest music fundraisers in Lakewood.
True to its name, the Music Marathon is known for its extensive 13-hour practice. Students do whatever they can to pass the time when they aren’t playing. Many bring TVs, gaming systems, board and card games, fairy lights, and decorations. Groups create elaborate setups for themselves in various locations.
“All my friends, we brought blankets and pillows,” junior Stevie Williams said. “We layered them all to make a soft cushion space.”
The orchestra officers organize the day-long event. This year’s senior officers include Margot King, Anna Maurer, Eva Wischhusen, Bryce Sandoval, Elizabeth Schuldt, and William Cosgriff. The junior officers include Stevie Willams, Thea Harkleroad, Avery Greene, Abby Peck, Nora Dunne, and Abby Kovach.
“The officers organize it well,” senior Luke Burke said. “I think this year, it was especially well-run.”
Students don’t practice for the entire 13 hours; practices are divided into sessions based on each orchestra. Each rehearsal period lasts one hour, except for the day’s first practice. All students are expected to be on stage, ready to play by 6:30 a.m., when the entire orchestra rehearses together for an hour and a half before breaking for breakfast.
Students are provided with a variety of refreshments throughout the event. An extensive buffet is set up in the cafeteria, with foods rotating from breakfast options in the morning to lunch and dinner items later in the day.
“The meal times were my favorite part; the food this year was especially good,” said Williams.
Games are also held in the Civic Auditorium. This year, one game stood out in particular: the Clothespin Game. All students were given clothespins painted to match the color of their orchestra section, with the goal of sneakily placing them on any orchestra officers. The section that got the most pins on officers won. However, the game quickly turned chaotic, with students placing pins on people who weren’t officers, including Dr. Hankins.
“I didn’t even know I was a target, but I was a target,” Hankins said. I had to run to the bank, and I had clothespins on me!”
At the end of game time, the top 5 students that raised the most money are able to pie an officer of their choosing in the face. Every year, it gives a wild end to a fun session of games.
The day ends with a concert called “Dessert with the Arts.” As the name suggests, the orchestra provides dessert for any guests. All of the students have an opportunity to play the music they have worked on throughout the day. The students are also allowed to stay in their pajamas throughout the concert. Donors who give $100 or more can dedicate a song, conduct it, or even perform with the Lakewood Project.
“I love the concert. I love seeing the different people come up and conduct, I love seeing people try to play with the Lakewood Project,” Hankins said. “I think they have a newfound respect for what it is that [the orchestra does] as musicians, and how hard it is. That’s probably my favorite part.”
