The OHS orchestra had their first concert of the year this month. For the students, getting ready for a concert is a team effort full of practice, trust and tons of excitement. Senior orchestra member Andrew Waller loves when there is new music to compose and getting to see his friends at practice.
“The thing I enjoy most about being in orchestra is making music with friends,” Waller said. “There is something truly special about all of us coming together to make music. Orchestra isn’t just about one person’s ability to play their instrument, but about how well everyone can perform together. Therefore, trust is very important.”
Waller described his favorite piece from the Fall Concert, as well as why he enjoys performances.
“We played ‘October,’ which had a lot of dynamic contrast and emotional intensity,” Waller said. “My favorite part of performing is being able to share our talent with our friends and families.”
Junior Mary Elena Hale is very committed to orchestra and cherishes her time at practice. Building up to fall concert night, Hale’s excitement was high.
“Everyone in orchestra is friends with each other,” Hale said. “It’s a community that I wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. I love putting our music on stage for the first time and hearing the acoustics in the auditorium.”
Preparation plays a vital role in delivering a great performance. That is why the orchestra practices everyday. Members have grown a close connection with each other.
“In the weeks leading up to the concert, I spend lots of time practicing to make sure I am confident about playing each song,” Waller said. “Right before the concert, I always make sure that I have all my music in concert order and that my instrument is perfectly in tune.”
Hale shares how she prepares for the fall concert on her own time. In addition to practicing solo, the orchestra has a mock concert to run all the music in order.
“I practice at home over the weekends for spots in songs that I have difficulty with,” Hale said. “The week before we usually work on transitions between big sections in the music as opposed to working and fixing small areas.”
Hale has different focus points depending on what she is playing. This strategy helps her match the tone and sound of others.
“For solos or small ensemble pieces, I give more focus to making my instrument sing as well as blending my sound with the others who are playing, while for full orchestra pieces I focus on making sure I’m in tune,” Hale said.
Junior Aubrey Wigginton has a passion for music and has been in orchestra for many years. One of Wigginton’s favorite highlights of orchestra is the rewarding feeling of progress through hard work.
“The thing I enjoy most about orchestra is learning how to play a song as near perfect as we can and seeing our progress,” Wigginton said.
When preparing for the Fall Concert, Wigginton had to turn her focus on her solo viola parts.
“Sometimes I just hunker down on just a couple of measures for an hour and master it,” Wigginton said. “I try to focus on dynamics when rehearsing. It’s a more advanced technique and really adds to the ambiance while playing.”
Even with preparation, nerves are natural, but there are ways members reassure themselves and calm performance jitters.
“There is always the fear that you won’t sound good during the concert and that you will completely mess up,” Waller said. “The way I overcome this is by reminding myself of how much hard work and effort I have put into learning each song. When we are nervous, we all help to encourage each other.”
Before Hale goes on to perform, she reminds herself with a quote to settle nerves and make her the most confident she can be.
“The lioness doesn’t concern herself with stage fright,” Hale said.
