by Alexa Sanchez-Nava, Co-Editor-in-Chief
The audience hushed in anticipation as the lights dimmed, starting the 2022 fall ITHS Orchestra concert. As the Concert Orchestra tuned to the ringing of an A, their first piece, M to the Third Power, began with short bowings, transitioning into longer, bolder bow strokes further into the piece.
Appalachian Spring, differed from the last piece stylistically, the fluctuating dynamics and legato bowings growing into vigorous energy, drastically contrasting the beginning.
Their third and final piece, Themes from Vivaldi’s Gloria closed out the first ensemble with a fast-paced song, showcasing the ensemble’s bright enthusiasm and hard work from the beginning of the year to their first ITHS performance.
“I think the fall concert kind of sets the tone for the year, and it really determines what the group is able to play and what amount of work that each group is going to put into their performance,” says Nathan Gardner, the IT Orchestra director.
The second group, String Orchestra, played Themes from Romeo and Juliet, The Gift, and Across the Wind.
The first arrangement alternated between a melancholic sound to a shorter intense sound, in homage to the Tchaikovsky ballet from which it drew inspiration.
The Gift was an emotional piece that stayed consistent in its sound, but grew in dynamics in its climax and in its graceful ending. Across the Wind left a hopeful, youthful impression on its listeners and was a very pleasant final piece for the String Orchestra overall.
Gardner notes that being professional while performing is important, but carrying yourself as a professional ensemble is just as impactful, “Yes you can sound as great as you want, but if you don’t look professional, the audience has already made their judgment on how you will sound based on how you enter the stage.”
Following Strings as a combined ensemble, Chamber Orchestra opened their performance with Hungarian Rhapsody no. 9, a folk inspired piece with careful, harsh, and legato bowings throughout.
Contrary to the previous piece, Waltz No. 2’s arrangement was calculated, yet moving all at once. From short pizzicato to slurred notes, the song encapsulated that of an elegant dance.
October featured complex rhythms with accidental notes aplenty that illustrated a blended, beautiful sound.
As the final performance of the evening, Symphony Orchestra performed 4 pieces: Poem for Orchestra, Hoe Down, Masquerade Waltz, and March Militaire Francaise. The first song featured a sweet-sounding flute solo, which was followed shortly by the strings and remaining ensemble members. It was a graceful piece from start to finish.
Hoe Down was a strings-only arrangement that featured incredibly fast melodies and rhythms across the sections, mimicking that of a rodeo.
The Symphony Orchestra’s final pieces, Masquerade Waltz and March featured dramatic rhythms and consistently fluctuating dynamics that created a captivating performance from the students.
“I think my favorite part is usually a day or two before the concert when we’re on the stage, and we have all the lights on, then the auditorium lights go down, and you’re like: it’s really happening, let’s just make music.” – Nathan Gardner opposing
