In single file fashion, the Chamber orchestra walked from stage left toward their seats. The chairs were positioned in semi-circle rings around the conductor’s podium where the ensemble’s director, Sara Long, would lead the group to their third consecutive Sweepstakes at the 2013 UIL competition.

“I just wanted the students to have fun and enjoy the moment,” Long said. “I probably felt the calmest and most confident I have ever had in a group because the students were invested in the pieces we played and gave it their all.”

The orchestra stood in front of their chairs and waited for Long to come on stage and commence the necessary tuning for the orchestra. Concert master junior Alexis Shambley played her A string to give the basis for the group to tune each of their instruments. When everyone was satisfied they sat down and Long approached the podium. The UIL judges waited down the rows of auditorium chairs as she flipped her music score to their first song. Long then tapped her chest for tempo reference, raised her arms and they started playing.

“We’ve practiced these pieces for so long, but you’re never fully prepared for that first note,” freshman Chris Sykora said. “We watch Mrs. Long for that first down beat and somehow we synchronize that first note. It’s a pretty nice feeling. After that you adjust within a few seconds and the rest is automatic almost.”

The group played three pieces: Sinfonia in G Major (Mvt. 3) by Vivaldi, Serenade for Strings in E Major (Mvt, 1) by Dvorak and Sinfonia in E Minor by Mendelssohn.

“These aren’t really easy pieces, but we handled them well,” junior Mia Ivos said. “We’ve been practicing these for so long – one of the songs for almost a year – so if we didn’t have it down by UIL, it would never be ready.”

The chamber orchestra finished on Mendleson. With a  smiling face, Long motioned for the orchestra to stand up and bow to the applauding audience and judge panel. They proceeded to the sight reading section of the UIL contest in a separate room with a separate judge panel.

“The sight reading process isn’t hard, but it’s really formal,” senior Abel Belachew said. “One of the three judges tells you all the rules and stipulations about sight reading while our director is off to the side already looking at the music score. We then have ten minutes to look over the music with her, but we can’t play. Once those ten minutes are up, we actually hear the music for the first time as we play it. It’s nice to hear us get all the dynamics and intonation from a piece we’ve never even seen before.”

The group finished and eagerly walked out of the room to prep for returning to Richardson High School.

“I was so proud of the kids,” Long said. “They did some amazing things on stage and with the music. I asked for such maturity from the students and they rose to the occasion. The students truly have achieved something special and should be commended.”

To listen to the actual UIL recording of the orchestra, click on the track links below.
Vivaldi
Dvorak
Mendelssohn