By Mubarrat Choudhury
The Richardson Orchestra tuned with concert master senior Alexis Shambley and made last minute adjustments while they waited for their director to lead them in front of the UIL Orchestra Contest judges. Earning the highest award, both the Chamber and the
Philharmonic Orchestra received sweepstakes for their performances.
“As an orchestra, we work hard for months just for this one moment where we give it our all on that stage,” junior Shraddha Bista said. “After going through everything and winning sweepstakes, it definitely made us a lot closer both as a team and a family.”
The two orchestras started preparing at the beginning of the year, when Chamber Orchestra participated in the Texas Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra Competition and placed 30th in the state.
Rockwall Heath held the UIL competitionwhere both orchestra’s had to perform three pieces of music in which they had all year to practice. Then they performed in front of a different set of judges for a sight reading competition in which the Orchestra plays a piece of music which they have never played before.
With the highlight of the year over, orchestra director Sara Long wants to introduce new music to play for the last orchestra concert and will begin preparing for next year’s UIL competition.
“The students played from their heart, and their performance was musically inspiring,” orchestra director Sara Long said. “Their skill can only keep on climbing from here on out.”
For many students, this competition was their last, because both orchestras have a high concentration of senior musicians.
“As a senior this year, earning sweepstakes every year of my high school career would be the icing on the cake,” senior Rachel Steiner said. “While I was worried as the performance approached, I knew we would rise to the occasion and give it our best. It was truly an honor and a pleasure to play with the Chamber Orchestra this year at UIL.”
Links to the performance recordings are listed below.
Teleman Movement 1: https://www.charmsoffice.com/charms/SchoolFilesNew/richhso/Public//TelemannMvt1.mp3
Teleman Movement 2: https://www.charmsoffice.com/charms/SchoolFilesNew/richhso/Public//TelemannMvt2.mp3
Tchaikovsky:
https://www.charmsoffice.com/charms/SchoolFilesNew/richhso/Public//TchaikovskyUIL.mp3
Britten Movement 4:
https://www.charmsoffice.com/charms/SchoolFilesNew/richhso/Public//BrittenUIL.mp3