Anticipation builds as the sounds of crowds buzzing and echoes of last-minute reminders being whispered backstage fill the Leonard Auditorium. Nervous but electric energy lingers for the annual fall band, choir and orchestra concerts.
The fall choir concert took place on Sept. 16, Royal Edition Choir officer, Claire Huntzinger said that it was one to remember.
“Music is so powerful, and I hope that the audience took away a sense of joy and inspiration,” Huntzinger said.
The fall choir concert is shorter than most concerts throughout the year, lasting only about 30 minutes and serving as a preview to the rest of the year. They sang pieces from a variety of genres including Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please.”
“One beautiful song we performed is called “Goodnight My Someone,” Huntzinger said. “It’s one of my favorite musical theatre songs, and I’m so happy to have shared it with the audience.”
Taking the Leonard Auditorium stage soon after choir will be the band on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. Band member and flute player Krisha Ranpariya said, “It will be a very formal concert since it is the first one.”
The concert will showcase a variety of talent featuring the beginner, intermediate and advanced bands.
“We have all been working incredibly hard to prepare and set a positive tone for the rest of the year,” Ranpariya said. “The feeling of being on stage knowing you must give it your all is almost addicting.”
“I am most excited to perform a specific piece called “Hawkeye Overture”, Ranpariya said. “The tempo changes make it interesting to play but also to listen to for the audience.”
HSE’s fall season of music will conclude with the orchestra’s concert on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Leonard Auditorium. Audience members can expect performances in order from the beginner orchestras to finishing the concert with a performance from the symphony orchestra, the program’s most elite group.
Symphony orchestra member and double bass player Miles McKean said, “We will perform two more classical pieces and one spooky-sounding piece since Halloween is upcoming which will change up the pace.”
McKean described the rigorous yet exciting rehearsal process. He said, “We start off with tuning and it gets the group to work together and improve sound quality and tone.”
Working well together as an orchestra is a vital aspect of overall success as a group. “Next, things such as scales and chords are worked on,” McKean said. “Finally, we work through each piece making sure everything sounds right, sometimes in sections and sometimes with the whole orchestra.”
The Symphony Orchestra prepares both in and out of school for their performances. “It’s cool to see it all come together after lots of focused rehearsals,” McKean said.
Despite the countless hours of dedicated preparation, HSE’s band, choir and orchestra programs are of high value and importance to the school’s culture.
“These programs bring a unique kind of creativity and collaboration,” Huntzinger said. “They give students a place to express themselves, build confidence and form lifelong friendships.”
Music programs like band, choir and orchestra are not just creative outlets, but also tight-knit communities of passionate students. With students’ talent and dedication, these programs promise a season of performances that will leave lasting impacts on audiences and students.
Huntzinger said, “[Band, Choir and Orchestra] make HSE feel more vibrant and inclusive, like everyone has a spot to shine.”
