Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra musicians and guest artists visited area music students in conjunction with the symphony's education department programming.

Guest artist Robert Hanford, concertmaster for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, visited Merrillville High School and Pierce Middle School students. He performed selections from Bruch's Scottish Fantasy, which he performed with the symphony at its May 2 concert in Crown Point. In addition to performing, Hanford explained the history behind the piece as well as answering questions from the students.

The Northwest Indiana Symphony Brass Quintet performed a program focused on Abraham Lincoln at St. Casimir Catholic School in Hammond on May 21. The quintet, composed of Bill Camp and Edgar Campos on trumpet, John Schreckengost on horn, Tom Stark on trombone and Kevin Harrison on tuba, read excerpts from "Abe Lincoln's Song Book" and performed pieces Lincoln was said to have favored, as well as other pieces from that time period.

The students also got a chance to ask questions and see the musician's instruments up close.

For more information about hosting a guest artist or other symphony-related education event at a local school, contact Leane Cerven in the symphony office at (219) 836-0525 or education@NISOrchestra.org.

For more information about the Northwest Indiana Symphony, visit www.NISOrchestra.org.