The Naperville North Orchestra program has been prospering under the radar for a while. But now, with the help of The Viol Da Gamba Society of America, the NNHS Orchestra Program is making headlines.

After applying for the first time, the orchestra program received five viols from The Viol Da Gamba Society of American. A viol is a bowed instrument that differs from the violin with its deeper rips, sloping shoulders and greater number of strings and frets. These instruments will help fine tune the already prestigious orchestra program.

Prior to receiving the grant, NNHS’ Camerata Ensemble, an orchestra that typically plays late sixteenth century Italian music, performed with instruments that were designed to produce modern music.

With the addition of the new viols, the orchestra will be able to create a more authentic sound because they will be using the same instruments musicians used during The Baroque period when the music originates from.

Viol Consort Program Director Dr. Phillip W. Serna, the provider of the sixth viol, said in an email that the addition of these viols will be pivotal in the NNHS Orchestra Program’s future.

“We have been loaned these instruments for a two year period in order to facilitate having a long-term viol da gamba presence at North,” Serna said.

The value of the loan, including instruments, cases and bows, is about ten thousand dollars, and according to Serna, it is very rare for instruments of such high value to be granted to high schools.

Dana Green, director of the NNHS Orchestra, said a small percentage of high schools have sixteenth century period instruments, let alone an ensemble that plays authentic Baroque music.

“We are very lucky here in District 203 because the administrators and policy makers value the arts, and this is a very great opportunity for the kids and for the audience,” Green said.

Green said he noticed the viols have induced a new octave of excitement.

¨The students are very excited. It’s like an instrument petting zoo,” Green said. “We have a line out the door of students who want to play on these instruments.”

Senior Kim Deichstetter said many students joined Camerata Ensemble as a result of their eagerness to use the new instruments.

“A lot of people joined Camerata Ensemble this year just so they could be around the viol da gamba, which is really cool,” Deichstetter said.

So many, in fact, that there are more students interested in playing the viol da gamba then there are viols, according to Deichstetter.

“The only problem with it is there is not enough space for everyone to join,” Deichstetter said.

Green assured me, however, that he doesn’t want to turn anyone who wants to learn away, and he is working to create a share system that will allow all interested students to get their hands on the new instruments.

In describing the significance of the grant, Green drew a parallel between baseball and music.

“Imagine that you had a baseball team, and instead of using baseball bats they were using 2 by 4s, and instead of baseballs they were using mangos,” Green said. “That’s what we have been using the last couple years.”

As a result of the generosity of both The Viol Da Gamba Society of America and Dr. Serna, the NNHS Orchestra Program has a fine set of shiny bats and pristine baseballs and is ready to hit a home run by playing 300-year-old music the way it was meant to be played.