About 60 people attended a special meeting at the Mansfield Masonic Lodge last Wednesday night, where the Snow Gum Strings from the Mansfield Steiner School performed.

The six-piece string orchestra entertained members, parents, and guests with a half-hour performance before entering the Lodge Temple for a short talk on Freemasonry, during which the layout and symbolism of the room were explained.

A light tea was then served prior to the Masonic members re-entering the lodge room for their monthly meeting.

Incoming Lodge Master Ray Pilborough thanked the orchestra for their wonderful music and presented the group with a donation from the Lodge, expressing his hope that it would support their continued performances and training.

Orchestra leader Danielle Andreasen-Cocker thanked the Lodge for the donation and explained that the five girls making up the orchestra, along with herself, were all Year 7 and 8 students — most of whom had attended the school since the beginning of their education.

“This group has been playing together for the past two years and are improving with every performance,” she said.

Members of the group are Danielle Andreasen-Cocker (leader and teacher), Lexie Meek, Thea Hall, Minseo Bae, Scarlett D’Arcy, and Hannah Setchell.