By ROB NOVIT

Following a performance by the Symphony Orchestra Augusta, the reviews came in quickly - from Aiken County fifth-graders.

"Awesome!" - Breanna Ellis and J'Mar Jones, Warrenville Elementary

"It was awesome, especially the Beethoven song. It really surprised me how much I liked it." - John Neichniedowicz of Belvedere Elementary School

The orchestra gave four performances for Area 2 fifth-graders and other public, private and home-schooled kids at USC Aiken last Thursday and Friday in the 2009 Youth Concert Series, presented by the Aiken Symphony Guild. This year's sponsors are Security Federal Bank, USCA, the Etherredge Center, the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Pepsi Bottling Group.

Even Bugs Bunny, Security Federal's mascot, made an entrance. He had a featured role in "What's Up at the Symphony," a tribute to Looney Tunes music, much of which is based on classical themes.

The orchestra's new conductor, Shizuo Kuwahara, also got rave reviews, taking the time to discuss all of the musical instruments and how they blend together to create music. He also invited them to take part in making storm sounds. He divided the audience into four sections, and some audience members rubbed their hands for wind while others snapped their fingers, applauded and stomped their feet to simulate a light drizzle, heavy rain and thunder.

"He was fabulous," said the Guild's Sandra Terry, who coordinated the orchestra's appearance. "I appreciated how he taught the children about the different elements of tempo and sound. Several kids told me they want to be a conductor."

Tim Simmons, the CEO of Security Federal, agreed that Kuwahara related well to the children.

"It's great for these kids, as a lot of them may never get the opportunity hear a symphony orchestra," he said.

Scott Chappell, the Mossy Creek Elementary School music teacher, said his students would writer letters to the conductor and to the Aiken Symphony Guild, thanking its members for sponsoring the concert for many years.

"This allows the children to have a real-life experience," he said, "not just studying about or looking at posters or hearing the music. They can actually see the symphony play the music. It's an exciting time for us."

North Augusta Elementary School students Bentley Brown, Danielle Altringer and Abi Perry are country music fans and admitted to some skepticism about that classical music stuff before the concert.

"It was great, a lot better than I thought it would be," said Danielle afterward.

So will they take the opportunity to listen to classical music again sometime?

"Maybe," said Abi.