Orchestra students performed their fall cluster concert with Hunt Middle School on Oct. 23, marking the group’s first major performance of the year. The recital highlighted the many hours of preparation students put into learning their music and showcased their growing musical talent.
“We get our music and we all rehearse it together,” sophomore cello player Alayna Cho said. “Sometimes we’ll get into our sectionals, so violins work together, violas work together and cellos and bass work together. It’s a very collaborative and fun teamwork process.”
The orchestra began rehearsing in early August, and their hard work was evident throughout the 90-minute performance.
“I honestly enjoy playing the pieces the most and meeting my friends,” sophomore viola player Alara Ramasvamy said. “Playing the instrument gives me a break from actual school work, and I find it fun to learn new pieces.”
School can be a major cause of stress, and having a creative outlet like playing an instrument has helped many students step back and enjoy something new. Orchestra also gives students the opportunity to explore various musical pathways and potential careers.
“I’ve been practicing conducting because I am conducting our group’s first song,” sophomore violin player Deema Al Shalal said. “It’s going to be a super fun experience and I love working with Ms. Daniels because she’s so helpful, and I feel like my music career has grown because of her.”
At the concert, select students were given the opportunity to conduct a piece their group was performing. Al Shalal took to the podium during “Tango Mysterioso” with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
“We rehearse a lot during class and go over some nit-picky measures that people keep messing up,” Ramasvamy said. “We take it home and practice through our music to try different tempos, bow styles, and dynamics.”
Dedicating time in and out of class was key to a successful performance. Orchestra students experimented with different techniques to create the best musical outcome for the audience.
“My goal is to evoke the different feelings within the pieces, because all three pieces we’re doing are very different,” Cho said. “I want to get that across to the audience so they can see, ‘Wow, these students have really worked hard and you can tell that they really care about the music.’”
The concert featured a wide range of music, from slow melodic pieces like “Lullaby” to fast and upbeat songs like “Tango Mysterioso.”
“I feel like it’s a good way for the middle schoolers to see what their future opportunities are in high school,” Cho said. “I think having that combined experience is very beneficial for them and for us as well, because we can see how middle schoolers are doing since we all miss it a little bit.”
Seeing the middle school performers reminded high school students of their own early orchestra experiences. For some, the performance held special meaning.
“I [felt] excited because my sister is also in the Hunt Middle School orchestra and she [performed] her first concert,” Al Shalal said. “Watching her perform [was] really fun and nostalgic for me.”
