The music department’s efforts have been culminating into final performances. This includes the SHS orchestra which concluded its season Tues. May 3. The Spring Concert lasted from 7-8 p.m in the auditorium.
The concert, in addition to the orchestra students, featured members of second bell band on the woodwinds, brass, and percussion with Mr. Daniel Frank helping percussion.
The first two pieces, “Evening Song” by Hadyn and the finale of “Serenade for Strings” by Tchaikovsky were for strings only. The band played in the last two pieces, “Adelante! Adelante!” by Chuck Elledge and “Danse Bacchanale” by Saint-Saens.
Freshman Christine Zhou said, “My favorite is “Serenade” because it’s a ballet and I’m a dancer.”
The group faced the challenge of having limited rehearsal time with the band students and members missing in the dress rehearsal days due to AP testing but managed to pull together.
Zhou said, “I guess I’m kind of worried about if we rush or miscount in the rests. We haven’t had too much time to work with the percussion.”
This concert also served as the last Sycamore orchestra performance for seniors including: Emma Burge, Lucas McCutcheon, and Jack Good who were recognized for their years of service to the music program.
Conductor Mr. David Smarelli also used the concert to give orchestra awards based off of “orchestra points,” that students received for getting good grades in the class, taking private lessons, and engaging in musical activity outside of school.
Those with the most points in each grade were recognized. These awards were received by Zhou, sophomore Kiri Wang, junior Peter McCutcheon, and senior Xiangyi Liu. Liu also received an orchestra medallion.
Burge received both the National School Orchestra Association Award and the Ben Fritzell Award, the two highest honors of the SHS orchestra program. Burge, who will continue her music study in college, received an unprecedented 1700 cumulative points over four years, breaking the previous record of 1500 set by Fritzell.
Liu said, “[As I finish my last concert with SHS], I’m kind of happy and sad. I’m happy I’ll graduate and go to college to learn more about music, but I’m also sad about leaving high school.”