Upper school performers and orchestra teacher, Mr. Greenwood (Courtesy/Limei Y.)
Fourteen upper school students played at the South Central Region Orchestra’s concert at Upper Arlington High School on Sunday, November 19. Conducted by Mr. Joel Powell of Avon High School in Indiana, the orchestra sight-read repertoire on Saturday, November 4, and rehearsed on Friday, November 17, and Saturday, November 18, totaling thirteen-and-a-half practice hours.
While the Ohio Musical Education Association (OMEA) has hosted the event since 1995, this was my first year participating. After auditioning in May, the association notified the following Academy Advanced Orchestra players: Irena A., Xander H., Bella L., Harry L., Luke L., Drew S., Alison W., Sophie W., Alester X., Aiden Z., Angela Z., and Claire Z. and me on August 31.
Regional Orchestra is a mainstay in orchestra culture nationwide and gathers talented musicians, including band players, to learn new music in a short time period. As the name states, OMEA assigns regions based on a school’s county. An even more selective tier, All-state Orchestra invitees across Ohio will congregate together from January 31 to February 2. Irena A. and Sophie W. will attend, while Bella L. and Angela Z. received alternate positions.
The concert’s first piece was Karel Butz’s “Rejoice!” which the conductor’s school orchestra program commissioned. Second was Percy Grainger’s “Irish Tune from County Derry,” a piece of mourning adapted from the song “Danny Boy,” which Mr. Powell dedicated to the six victims of the Tuscarawas bus crash who were associated with the high school’s band. Tchaikovsky’s “Marche Slave” was the magnum opus with its fast-paced tempo and contrasting dynamics.
Senior Irena A. said, “I’ve participated the past 3 years and knowing that this is my final one is very bittersweet. I’ve made some incredible friends and our performance has definitely improved over the years. I’m very excited for all-state!”
I, too, enjoyed my participation as I met new people of diverse perspectives and drew a deeper connection to music’s power to unite.
If interested, auditions open March 1 and close May 31. Sudents must play scales, an etude, and an excerpt, which vary depending on the instrument:violin, viola, cello, bass, or harp.
