![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Sprinkled with an international flair, the annual Winter Concert showcased the efforts of the instrumental program on Friday, January 14, at the Blackford Theater.
The 5 to 6 p.m. concert featured the Lower and Middle School ensembles, while the 7:30 p.m. concert presented the Upper School Jazz Band and Orchestra.
The academic year has involved a series of exchanges with Japanese sister school Tamagawa Gakuen, which has “one of the top instrumental programs,” according to Orchestra and Jazz Band Conductor Christopher Florio.
Florio had traveled to Tamagawa in October, and Tamagawa exchange students Miyu Kondo (12) and Marina Saito (12) joined the Jazz Band this past Monday, January 10, and will be staying for one month.
Miyu acknowledged that seeing the score for the concert only on Tuesday was a challenge, but she nevertheless enjoyed the experience.
“[Playing at the Winter Concert] was very fun, [but also] hard,” Miyu said.
The Jazz Band performed the pieces Tuxedo Junction, Bones for Basie, Someone, and You Can Have It.
After the intermission, the Orchestra played the “Overture to La Forza del Destino”; the first movement of Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D.944; the second movement of Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68; and “Danse Bacchanale from Samson and Dalila, Op. 47.”
Towards the close of the event, Florio said the Winter Concert “[took] music to another level” and appreciated the hard work of all the Jazz Band and Orchestra members.
Justin Gerard (10) enjoyed the concert and quality of the performances.
“I thought every person in all the events was extremely talented,” Justin said. “I’m not sure about other schools, but I know that we have a very, very top Orchestra and Jazz Band.”
Featured in trombone solos, Benjamin Tien (12) was pleased with Jazz Band’s performance and bond as an ensemble.
“I think [this Winter Concert is] probably our best performance yet,” Benjamin said. “Our sound was really tight, everyone’s solos were really good, and we just came together as a group.”
