Instrumental Concert “Pieces of Autumn” rustles people to the door

By Arthur Hoang

As the students of Orchestra and band set up for their first concert of the year, they discovered that the way to their instruments was surrounded by toilet water.

Before the concert even started, disaster had struck the concert.  As the performers came to set up, they saw that water was flooded out one of the side doors of the L-Building.  In addition toilets were locked so none of the performers could have gotten in, only the janitors and staff had keys to get in.

“In of the bathrooms the toilets had been constantly running and had overflowed,” said orchestra teacher Emily Ray.

On Oct. 5, the orchestra and band had their first concert of the year in the L-Building. Admission was five dollars and the audience was treated to what both groups had been working on since the beginning of the year.  The String Orchestra started off the night with She will Hang the Night with Stars and the Finale from Symphony no. 41, then the Concert Band performed Whispers of the Wind, Little English Suite and Valley Forge March.

Afterwards, there was an intermission where the Instrumental Club sold refreshments: pumpkin cookies, chai lattes, custard donut holes and water.

“All money raised goes to music festivals, the Disneyland trip, instrument repairs and instrumental coaches to help students perform better,” said Instrumental Club President Sarah Dao

Then, the audience returned to its seats and the Symphony Orchestra took the stage and they performed Danse Bacchanale and Fandango asturiano. Finally, Wind Ensemble rounded out the night with the Russian Sailor’s Dance and the First Suite in E flat.

The music for the concert had been in the hands of the students for only a couple weeks. The String Orchestra had its music for five and eight weeks, respectively for each of their pieces and the Symphony Orchestra had its music for about six weeks.

“ The performances generally went well. Orchestra played well with no major mishaps,” says Ms.Ray.

The next Instrumental Concert will be on Dec. 9 in the L-Building.