On Feb. 27, students from Symphonic Orchestra and Concert 1 and 2 Orchestras performed at the Winter Orchestra Concert.
Students had either solo or small group performances, as well as group ensemble performances from the Symphonic Orchestra and the combined Concert Orchestras.
For the solo or small group performances, students got to choose their own groups and pieces, and prepare on their own.
“We haven’t done this. We’ve done it at the end of the year for a final or a project, but we haven’t done something like this for a performance,” orchestra teacher Adam Wheeler said. “Chamber music is a big part of playing because everybody’s kind of on their own part and they have to communicate without a conductor. So, in order to push that as something that’s important, we thought we should do it for a concert so that there’s a goal and something to play for.”
The solo and small group performances took place in the choir, orchestra, and guitar rooms, and the theater. Students were allowed a sort of freedom that they don’t usually have while working in an ensemble performance group like North’s orchestra.
“My favorite thing about this concert was being able to choose the group that I was able to work with,” said junior Uyoyo Omunu, who played the piece “Night Shift” by Richard Meyer with seniors Athena DeKinder and Riley Gibbons. Omunu also played as part of the Symphonic Orchestra.
After the solo and small group performances, the Symphonic Orchestra and combined Concert Orchestras played. Concert Orchestra 1 and 2 consists of mostly underclassmen, who haven’t quite progressed to the level of Symphonic. Symphonic Orchestra is audition-only and is the highest level of North’s orchestra program.
The Concert Orchestra played “Basse Danse” and “Pavane” from “Capriole Suite” by Peter Warlock and “City of Steel” by Doug Spata. The Symphonic Orchestra played “Irish Tune From County Derry” by Percy Grainger, “Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla” by Mikhall Glinka, and “Highlights from Beauty and the Beast” by Alan Menken and arranged by Calvin Custer. Then, both groups came together to end with “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte and arranged by Robert Longfield.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth with individual players and blending together as a group, and working together,” Wheeler said.
To prepare for the concert, students started learning the music and practicing months in advance. They practiced in class, on their own, and even some ac lab rehearsals.
“It’s been a little hectic with February going by so quickly,” said sophomore Sunny Holmes, a member of Concert Orchestra 2.
This concert served as a preview for the Large Group Contest on March 6, where the Orchestra will take a field trip to Clayton High School to play in front of judges, be rated, and given feedback.
“I think the concert is all about the students and seeing them grow, and either having a really amazing performance that they’re proud of, or maybe making a mistake or two and realizing that they can learn from those mistakes,” Wheeler said.
