It’s only the second month of the start of the new year, and the talented orchestra students are already giving it their all for upcoming performances later in the semester. And although it’s rehearsals and sectionals that make up for the orchestra to be so divine and in sync when performing, there are also many other important considerations that the board team and students in the orchestra consider for upcoming performances.
Members who are a part of the board team in the orchestra are President Felicity Santoyo Lima, Vice President Oluwafikunayomi Tosin-Oni, Treasurer Lilianna Gonzalez, Secretary Sarah Garduno, Social Media Manager Cindy Cruz, and Concert Master Marie Mota. As board members, they each have different responsibilities in their respective sections, which they lead students through, including other major commitments.
Throughout the semester, a handful of performances will be performed by the orchestra. But for students to demonstrate and implement their skills to the audience, mastering their instrumental piece precisely by daily practicing is what truly makes performances sound pleasantly astonishing to those listening and watching. “During our rehearsal times, we spend a lot of time going over our pieces. We gather to refine our pieces, ensuring each note resonates with passion and precision,” Felicity Santoyo Lima, a senior who plays the cello in the orchestra, said.
With all the hard work that students dedicate during rehearsal times, it does pay off when it’s time to perform. Needless to say, since students are all together while rehearsing, new bonds are also created along the way that help students connect and have team bonding experiences with one another. “In between rehearsals we can all always find something to laugh about and even though it’s a lot of work at times, it never really feels like it because of how well we all get along,” said Sarah Garduno, a senior who is a leader of the viola section. Garduno also explained she is grateful for all the new friendships she made throughout her time in orchestra, even though she has to leave her friends who are underclassmen behind, as she is a graduating student this year.
Furthermore, if there’s anyone that students look up to give their fullest devotion to their performances, it would be Ms.Rincon. “She’s taught us that music is more than just playing notes, it’s creating emotion with the notes you play, and the different techniques needed to achieve different feelings,” said Oluwafikunayomi Tosin-Oni, a senior and section leader of violin 2.
Not only has Ms. Rincon taught students that music is much more than what one might think it is, but she also has her special ways of teaching that students admire very much and making them all feel included together.“She knows how to create a respectable yet fun learning environment in class and rehearsals,” said Garduno.
For the most part, it’s needed to say that the time and effort students put into rehearsals and sectionals isn’t something for people to look over, since performances by the students in the orchestra will always and will always continue to sound breathtaking to one’s ear.