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![“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)
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Harker’s instrumental groups perform in annual winter concert at Mexican Heritage theater
Rishabh Jain plays a saxophone solo in the Upper School Jazz band’s piece “Spain.”
The Upper School orchestra, Jazz Band, Lab Band, the Middle School orchestras, Middle School chamber groups, and the Middle School Jazz Band performed in the annual Winter Concert at the Mexican Heritage Theater on Jan. 16.
The Winter Concert marked the first concert of the year for these performing arts groups. In order to prepare for this concert, performers rehearsed in sectional groups with their respective instrumental separations.
“I’m the most excited because this is the first concert of my senior year,” said Vishal Vaidya (12), before the concert. “I think this is the best sounding group that we’ve had in the four years that I’ve been here.”
First, the Lab band, led by Dr. Hart played Caravan, Groove Merchant, Bernie’s Tune, and Aim High. Mr. Florio then led the Upper School Jazz band in playing Spain, Sitka Shuffle, and then I Just Called to Say I Love You and Skylark with vocalist Julia Wang, who is also a member of the Upper School Orchestra.
Following an intermission, the Upper School Orchestra performed La Forza Del Destino by Giuseppe Verdi, Antonín Dvorák’s New World Symphony and Bernstein’s Profanation.
The pieces played this year by the Upper School Orchestra were overall more difficult than songs played in years past, with constantly changing time signatures and very high and low notes.
“The hardest part [of learning the pieces] was the flat out difficulty level,” said Mr. Florio, conductor of the Upper School
Orchestra and the Upper School Jazz band.
The students were able to learn and perform the complex pieces despite the initial troubles.
“The most memorable part of learning the music was when I first got the music, and there was this moment of ‘What am I going to do?’” clarinet player Jessica Skinner (9) said. “Now, I learned that I can actually play it, so that’s a good thing.”
Audience members, students and conductors alike were very pleased with the turnout and results of the concert.
“It was amazing. It was the best outcome I could’ve asked for.” Mr. Florio said. “For the first time in my career I walked away sure that we did the absolute best that we could.”
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on January 28, 2015.
Ayushi Gautam (12) is the Managing Editor of Harker Aquila. She has been a part of the journalism program since her freshman year. She was the Social Media...
Lauren Russell (10) is a reporter in her second year on staff for the Winged Post. After joining the staff for freshman year, she looks forward to continuing...