North County Strings

North County Strings: A Latin Music Initiative concludes with a finale concert featuring students from participating Montgomery County middle schools. The program showcases the students’ musical development and confidence, and includes the world premiere of Dion Morales’ *Fuego Celeste “Sky Fire”—A Latin Adventure*, commissioned for North County Strings by the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools.

The initiative is modeled on Strathmore’s East County Strings program, bringing professional instrumentalists into northern Montgomery County middle schools to teach Latin music. The concert is part of Bloom by Strathmore, which works to make arts education accessible to all.

When: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Showtime: 7pm

Tickets: Free admission; general admission

Venue: Damascus High School

Featured performance: World premiere of Dion Morales’ *Fuego Celeste “Sky Fire”—A Latin Adventure*

Participants: Students from Gaithersburg, John Poole, Montgomery Village, Redland, Ridgeview, and Shady Grove middle schools

Program schedule: North County Strings runs from the week of October 5 through November 12, culminating in this finale concert

Note: The initiative is presented by Bloom by Strathmore in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools and the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore.