“Who knows whether British composer Gustav Holst’s The Planets really strives for universal unity, post-World War One. But for the violinist who has dedicated himself to performing the large-scale orchestral work, music has always moved both heaven and earth. I’ve had to juggle a lot of responsibilities to keep up with my music, says Rick Tarbill, Bainbridge High School violin student.Tarbill is missing his senior prom in order to play excerpts from The Planets with the Seattle Symphony Friday, and says the sacrifice is definitely worth it. Intense is how he describes the experience of learning three symphony pieces in four days.You enjoy the performance afterwards, he says, although practicing the same passages over and over is hard work.Tarbill says he is particularly excited because the Seattle Symphony Family Concert in which he will perform has not taken place on the island for three years. The first concert of this kind was held at BHS in 1976, made possible by an endowment from James and Frances Hodges that ensured that ticket prices remained affordable for all families. Now the tradition continues, offering Tarbill and fellow gold medalist Michelle Choate of North Kitsap High School the chance to be involved in the rehearsal and performance of works presented by the symphony. Tarbill’s mother Cathy describes the opportunity as important for Tarbill’s musical career. He began studying Suzuki violin at age 2-1/2, going on to play with the community orchestra before winning the Olympic League Sole Violin Prize for the last two years.But it is the educational value of music that Rick Tarbill stresses. Learning to read music can help kids get to grips with math, he says. He also cites a historical interest in the development of music from, pre-classical to post-modern. Tarbill is confident that the evening’s lineup of music by Beethoven, Mozart and Shostakovich as well as Holst, offers something for everyone. He hopes the event will bring the community together and kindle enthusiasm from potential musicians.I want to inspire other kids to practice and to take joy in music, he says .The Seattle Symphony Family Concert is slated for 7:30 p.m. June 2 at Bainbridge High School.Tickets are $8 for seniors, $5 for students and $12 for everyone else, except for youths under age 12 – the first 250 of whom are admitted free. Box office: 842-1301.”