Strings attached

High school orchestra to have its first fund-raiser Saturday

Simone Wilson's son Logan started working with the Leesville Road High School Orchestra and its director Mark Stiles when he was in the fourth grade. He took the director up on his offer of free lessons to any fourth- or fifth- grader who wanted to learn to play the cello, viola or violin.

Now in the seventh grade, the cellist plans to play until he graduates, his mom said -- and she vows to help raise money for the orchestra every year.

Wilson and fellow parents from the Leesville Strings tomorrow are holding the first annual Arts, Gifts & Music Festival at Leesville Road High School.

"My son is very dedicated to Mr. Stiles so I figured we better do something to raise funds," Wilson said.

The festival will feature Seton McGlennon, a Cary artist who does life murals on trunks. After doing a mural of Oprah Winfrey's life and sending it to her as a gift, McGlennon landed on Oprah's show.

The festival will also showcase another North Carolinian, Raleigh native Allen Montague. Montague, who once hosted a cable TV series called "The Southern Palette," will be doing finger painting.

In addition to more than 80 vendors selling everything from food to jewelry to yard art, there will also be a cakewalk, face painting, a kid's zone and performances by the orchestra.

The festival is being produced by the parents of the strings orchestra booster club, The Leesville Loure's. They plan on it being an annual event and their biggest fund-raiser.

Stiles wants to make sure his students do their part by being good hosts. He has asked them to be on hand the evening before the event to help vendors set up.

He is pleased to get the assistance, ticking off a list of items for which he will use the proceeds: "An electric bass, some more violins, another cello, sound equipment, software would be the order."

One unusual aspect of the orchestra is that members of the Leesville Middle School orchestra sometimes participate in performances. Both groups will participate in the festival.

Stiles hopes for a good turnout.

"We'd like to get as many people as possible here to check us out," he said. "I think it's going to be great."