A Baroque Encounter

The Wakeland High School Orchestra held there second formal concert this past Wednesday, 12/14/2011. The orchestras under direction of Mrs. Liudmila Duston performed exceptionally well and played very well for the limited times that they had to practice due to some involvement with the musical, "Singin' in the Rain". Both of our orchestras played in this concert and then they came together to perform additional pieces as a full orchestra. The Symphonic Orchestra under lead of Concert Mistress Taylor Kline performed surprisingly well as compared to their first concert. The lower strings rung out beautifully and played, not from the mind, but rather from the heart. To help fill in sound for the small ensemble of an orchestra Cameron Hamer (Bass), Courtney Erbes (Harp), and Tyler English (Violin) joined the orchestra. Cameron plays the violin in the chamber orchestra and knows the bass for the symphonic parts. The symphonic orchestra played two pieces, "La Rejouissance" by Handel and "Menuet in G" by Bach. After the symphonic section played the chamber orchestra came on stage under lead of Concert Maestro Drew Acosta. The chamber group played very well, as per the "norm". They played a piece by Vivaldi entitled "Allegro in D", as well as Caccini's "Ave Maria". The orchestra played their song, "Ave Maria" from a place deep within their heart so well that it sent chills down my very spine. After the beautiful piece that was "Ave Maria", the orchestra ajourned for a few short moments to reset the stage and to get refreshments. During this break the crew under direction of Tyler Engilsh worked rapidly to set up the stage for the combined orchestras. As the break neared an end the harpists, Jessica Sedgewick, Kara Messer, and Courtney Erbes, moved their harps out into position to play their assortment of pieces, "Largo" by Vivaldi, and "Greensleeves" by Cambern. At the end of the harmonic strumming of the elegant harps the full orchestra came back onto the stage. The next song that would be played was an upbeat arrangement by Bach, "Badinerie", which the orchestra played very well as a full "family". The orchestra was stopped at the end of the piece and soloists Paul Thompson and Amy Hammert emerged from the sides. the next piece, "Concerto for 2 Oboes and String Orchestra, Op. 7 No.11, 1st mvt" by Albinoni feautured these two talented Oboeists as soloists with the orchestra as mearly a harmony interwoven with the Oboes. After the concerto came the grand finale, "Hornpipe" by Handel. An upbeat, baroque piece with a full orchestra. The hornpipe was played well and the orchestra received accollades for their performances. 

Great job WHS Orchestra I am proud of you guys. Keep up the good work.

Thank you to the crew also for all of the hard work, this whole ordeal could not have come together with out your help!

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