The Oxford Orchestra holiday concert featuring the OHS orchestra, chamber orchestra, cello and bass choir, and the OMS 8th grade orchestra, was held on Thursday, Dec. 12. Orchestra teacher Ceresa Caudill served as conductor, along with tutors Rodolfo Torres and Camden Boutwell, as well as senior student conductors Max Hill and Quinn Hickerson.
“The holiday concert is one of four concerts performed by the orchestra,” Ceresa Caudill, who has been teaching orchestra for three years, said. “We also perform at local retirement communities, businesses, Teacher of the Year Luncheon, and OHS Graduation.”
Hickerson, juniors Elizabeth Caudill, and McKinney Caudill performed solos in the Corelli Christmas Concerto. Hickerson played a solo in The First Noel. Yewon Woo, Mary Elena Hale, Bradley Ramsey, Hill, Wes Estes, and McKinney also played in the cello and bass choir.
“My mother taught me (music) until I was twelve. She played in the youth symphony growing up, the Oklahoma University orchestra, the Jackson Symphony, and the Rochester Symphony in Minnesota,” Elizabeth Caudill said. “It has also been really special for us [my sister and I] to be able to see each other improve at our instruments over the years.”
Elizabeth Caudill has played violin for eleven years and her sister, McKinney Caudill, has played piano for eleven years and cello for two and a half years.
“It was exciting to get to play with the younger grades on the combined pieces,” Elizabeth Caudill said. “It’s so fun to see their progress through the years and it’s super special to get to know them at the concerts.”
Over the last two years, the Oxford School District orchestra numbers have more than doubled, with 150 students now participating in the orchestra.
“I am delighted with the growth of the orchestra program,” Ceresa Caudill said. “As the number of students participating in orchestra has increased it has been rewarding to see so many students successfully playing string instruments and finding community within the orchestra. It has also been a joy to see musical growth in each individual.”
For many, orchestra is more than a class, it is a refuge from a busy schedule.
“There’s nothing like walking in after a long day of tests and knowing all you have to do is play your best. Orchestra is a rare relief in the school day,” sophomore double bass player Hugh Wilson said. “I love seeing our student conductors get on
stage and conduct the whole orchestra, and I can’t wait to see what they do.”
The one hour concert included the following pieces: Concerto Grosso Op 6 No. 8 by A. Corelli, Quartet for Cello/Bass by Aleanar, Fantasia on a 17th c. Tune by Richard A Stephen, The Nutcracker Tchaikovsky arr. Phillippe, You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch arr. Cerulli, The First Noel – Yukiko Nishimura, and Polar Express arr. Lavender.
“I am looking forward to playing Christmas music, especially music from the Polar Express. We have invited some people from the band to play with us and they take the song to the next level” junior violinist Andrew Waller said. “I enjoy knowing everyone in orchestra and that orchestra feels like a big family.”
