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Musicians from all three campuses gathered in early April to hold the most comprehensive concert yet. The Lower School String Ensemble opened with “Canon in D,” by Pachelbel, and “Joust” by Richard Meyer. The Lower School Orchestra then performed two numbers including Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5 – Finale,” before being joined by the Grade 6 Orchestra for “Symphony No. 6 – ‘Pastoral,’” by Beethoven. “It was a delight to see students performing together on one stage,” said Chris Florio, upper school instrumental teacher, “as the groups usually practice separately.” The Grade 6 Orchestra then performed a trio of pieces including “Farandole” from “L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2,” by Georges Bizet.
The Grade 7-8 Orchestra rounded out the first half of the show with four pieces including “Variations on a Korean Folk Song, Var. I, II and III,” by John Barnes Chance. The orchestra opened its set with a lush and moving rendition of “Symphony No. 5” by Tchaikovsky. “From the strings, to the winds and to the brass, this piece displayed the vast range of talents in this orchestra,” said Florio.
Following intermission, The Harker School Orchestra, the upper school group, took the stage. This group was capping off a busy day, having been awarded their first Unanimous Superior at the CMEA festival at Wilcox High School that morning. The group opened with Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture,” and “Suite No. 1” from the opera “Carmen” by Bizet. Anthony Fandrianto, grade 12, was guest conductor for “El Capitan,” by John Phillips Sousa, and the show wrapped up with “Elsa’s Procession” from Wagner’s opera “Lohengrin.”