Midwinter Instrumental Music Concert Features Senior Soloist, February 12

Celia Lyford will be the featured senior soloist during the Instrumental Music Department's Midwinter Concert on February 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

She will be performing Élégie for Cello and String Orchestra by Gabriel Fauré with the Heights High Symphony.

According to Director of Orchestras, Daniel Heim, Celia "grasps the character of any music quickly and can make it come alive," a rare and valuable skill in any young musician. He also emphasizes how deserving she is of this moment in the spotlight. Celia is not one to step forward and seek attention, he notes, but her consistency, kindness, and artistic maturity have left an unmistakable mark over the four years that she has been a member of the Heights High Symphony. "I'm so happy we'll have the opportunity to showcase her talents. She deserves this kind of recognition."

Celia Lyford began playing the cello at the age of eight after her parents encouraged her to choose an instrument. With her older sister on viola, Celia gravitated towards something larger, but also something that resonated with her literally and emotionally. The cello's rich, low C string captivated her from the start, and the instrument became a constant in her life.

Julia King, her cello teacher from the beginning, introduced her to the foundations of the instrument and nurtured her technical and expressive abilities. Her former piano teacher, Ms. Wilson strengthened her understanding of theory and musical expression, shaping the way she interprets music today. And at Heights High School, Mr. Heim has guided her growth as an ensemble player and section leader. Celia has participated in CH-UH schools orchestras since the fourth grade at Roxboro Elementary School.

Outside of instrumental music, Celia is the secretary of the Swim Cadets, Heights High's synchronized swimming team, a member of the Girls Lacrosse Team, and a singer in multiple vocal ensembles including Women's Barbershop, Singers, and the A Cappella Choir. She was also named an AP Scholar with Distinction in the fall of 2025. While she does not plan to major or minor in music in college, Celia intends to continue playing cello in ensembles and at home, preserving a family tradition of playing music together.

On Thursday, February 12 the Heights High Symphony will also perform Lyric for String by renowned African American composer, George Walker and the third movement from Dvorák's Symphony No. 7 in D minor. The Thursday concert also features performances by the Concert Orchestra, Philharmonic Stings, and a combined ensemble performance of Mark Williams' Fiddles on Fire with the 8th grade orchestra students from Baumgartner and Roxboro Middle Schools.

On Wednesday, February 11, the Heights High Symphonic Winds will present Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F for Military Band, Ammerland by Jacob de Haan, and JaRod Hall's Knockout. The Wednesday concert will also feature performances by the Heights High Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band.

Both concerts will be hosted in the Main Auditorium of Cleveland Heights High School at 7:00 p.m. and will be followed by a reception in the cafeteria.

There will be no cost for admission to the concerts. Instead, the Band and Orchestra Parent Organization (BOPO) will be accepting donations that will go directly towards supporting instrumental music at Heights High School.