![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[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)
Upper and middle schools perform in Spring Orchestra Concert
The upper school orchestra members stand up after their performance. The annual Spring Concert was held yesterday at 7 p.m.
April 9, 2016
The upper and middle schools orchestras performed in the annual Spring Orchestra Concert at De Anza College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC) yesterday for the last performance of the year.
The concert began at 7 p.m. with the sixth grade orchestra, whose repertoire included John WIlliams’s “Star Wars (Main Theme)” and “Highlights from Harry Potter,” along with Merle J. Isaac’s “Farandole (from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2).” Middle school chamber groups then performed, followed by the seventh and eighth grade orchestra with Johannes Brahms’ “Brahms First Symphony (Fourth Movement),” John Williams’ “The Empire Strikes Back Medley,” George Gershiwin’s “An American in Paris Suite” and Igor Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings Movement IV (Tema Ruso).”
After an intermission, the upper school orchestra performed a total of five pieces, each introduced by a member of the orchestra.
Howard Hanson’s “Symphony No. 2, Op. 30 Movement III (Allegro con Brio)” came first.
The orchestra then played Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story,’” which they played earlier this week during School Meeting.
“My favorite piece is probably ‘West Side Story,’” tuba player Meghana Karinthi (10) said. “It’s really hard to play, but I think we practiced it a lot and we sound really good now. I’m excited to play it.”
Afterwards, guest conductor Leo Eylar from California Youth Symphony (CYS) conducted Franz Liszt’s “Les Préludes.” Many orchestra members enjoyed the opportunity to work with Eylar.
“We’ve become pretty close and he really likes Harker and our musicians, so it’s really a great honor to have him come in and work with our kids and conduct as well,” upper school orchestra conductor Chris Florio said.
The last two pieces of the night were Andre-Charles Messager’s “Solo de Concours,” which featured a solo by principal clarinet Kristen Park (12), and Gioachino Rossini’s “‘William Tell’ Overture.”
The upper school orchestra started preparations for the Spring Concert since the start of second semester. Although there were no additional rehearsals scheduled in preparation, many students got together on their own to improve or practiced in sectionals. Members also left during seventh period at 1:30 p.m. to prepare themselves.
In previous years, the orchestra performed at the Mexican Heritage Theater, so this is the first year that the concert took place at De Anza’s VPAC.
“First of all, it ended up being a better deal financially,” Florio said. “It’s also a much better venue acoustically, and it’s just more catered to musical performances versus Mexican Heritage which is more catered towards theatre and dance performances.”
Florio also recognized each of the 25 senior orchestra member individually before the last piece of the night since the Spring Concert marked the last concert of their high school careers. To honor them, the orchestra did something as a group before the concert, and they also gave speeches to their fellow players. Many seniors hoped to give this performance their best.
“I think that I really want to play my best and try my hardest,” said viola principal Luke Wu, a graduating senior. “I have a solo, and especially with my instrument the viola, you usually don’t get solos, so I really want to practice hard and get my sectional to play hard with me.”
Students sold tickets throughout the week during lunches in Manzanita Hall as well as online. Tickets costed $25 for reserved, $15 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
