Orchestra is more than solely a musical group, it is a chance for students to build their musical abilities, to improve their confidence, and to develop social skills by teamwork, collaboration, and from performance. This ensemble has a selection of instruments here on campus, including violins, violas, cellos, and bass, and occasionally guitar, piano, and other musical instruments that are featured for performance. Surprisingly, not many people realize that the orchestra is active here on campus, and there are many opportunities that the orchestra has to offer. During the beginning of the first semester, the orchestra is in preparation for the winter concert, and a new event was developed this year, which is having a halloween concert expected to continue from this year and on. The orchestra also does an annual spring concert, travels to middle schools for recruitment, and participates in outside festivals, where they get critiqued and learn valuable information from the judges, which makes memorable experiences for students which helps develop new learning and ideas. To prepare for these events, the group rehearses every day on Wednesday at the music room after school for about two hours.
Our concertmaster and member of orchestra, Ivan Manzo explains that his continuity in orchestra ever since elementary school made his love for the ensemble grow, and his favorite part as stated, “Making connections and helping people, and generally playing my instrument.”
Mrs. Scherzer is not only our new orchestra instructor, but also teaches the band of our school. One of the things that the director tries to get out of the group is to develop personal independence, boost students’ confidence, and to raise the level of musicianship. Her favorite part about orchestra as a whole is the emotion incorporated into the ensemble, stating “Orchestra brings a more homogeneous sound, and you can do a lot more with the emotion with tension and release”.
So whether you are an advanced player, or completely new to an instrument and are interested, make sure to stop at R3 and be ready for any questions you want answered!
