By Jacob Flores, Staff Writer
(Photo by Mathew Schiller, Orchestra concert)
On October 28th the Orchestra had their first concert of the year with the theme of “Masquerade.” The concert consisted of the Matthew Gage Middle School Orchestra and Poly Orchestra collaborating and showing off their individual accomplishments. I imagine many people, like myself, have never been to an Orchestra concert and wouldn’t know what to expect. It was very entertaining; the Orchestra is a group of instrumentalists who combine different sections such as string instruments to play classically composed music in percussion sections. The Poly Symphony Orchestra played select classical pieces like The National Anthem and The Blue Danube Waltz, a classical piece that was originally conducted by Johann Strauss in 1867 and has been a recognizable song through generations of history. They also performed some pieces that encouraged audience participation like A Can-Can Festival, a prideful and upbeat song that brought joy and happiness throughout the whole orchestra and audience, with the audience even clapping along at moments. Each song had a complex showcase of the skills under the conduction of Mr. Spenser Kalnin.
(Photo by Mathew Schiller, Orchestra Concert)
The Poly String Orchestra played classical pieces such as Basile’s Galop, an upbeat and frolicky song that had each section of the orchestra divided into their own musical performance. Summer from “The Four Seasons”, known as a classical but memorable song that has seen the rise of popularity throughout the early years of the 1900’s and 2000’s. La Llorna, a spooky and dark song about the foreign folk tale of “La Llorna” with the song heavily including amazing soloists all throughout the piece. Each song has its own story with all pieces having memorable moments and amazing soloists all conducted by Mr. Spenser Kalnin.
(Photo by Mathew Schiller, Orchestra Concert)
For The Gage String Orchestra’s set pieces, they performed songs such as Skin and Bones, a halloween seasonal song that sent shivers and frights when played. House of Untold Horrors, was a story song that had lyrical phrases and funny moments, with one of the Matthew Gage Middle School teachers “Mr. Carlson” making his first music related debut. Freaky Forests, a song that combines sounds and famous halloween themes throughout the piece, while also having soloists throughout the chilling peace. The Mathew Gage Middle School orchestra did not disappoint, with each piece bringing the “Spooky Season” to life, while also showing the fun and amazing conducting by Mr. Aaron Guzman.
The concert was an overall amazing experience, with sponsors, parents, and kids being able to experience the fun and feeling that the orchestra as a whole produced. When asked “What was your favorite song from this concert and why,” president of orchestra Kien Biggs replied, “My favorite song of the concert was probably La Llorna, because it was so fun to play and I had a solo in it!” The Poly Orchestra’s next performance will be their Holiday Concert in December and you won’t want to miss it.