All Region Orchestra

By Gilles Bonneau

On November 22, seven GSA middle school string students performed in the All-Region Orchestra concert at Pflugerville High School. This was the culmination of many weeks of preparation and a well-deserved reward for their success at the All-Region audition in October. Returning eighth graders Gabi (violin), Ana (cello) and seventh graders Izzy and Rowan (viola) were joined by first-timers Sam (8th, viola), Maeve (8th, cello), and Tillie (7th, cello).

Gone was the stress of the audition as the focus shifted to the pleasure of rehearsing an exciting repertoire under the guidance of award-winning school orchestra directors Kay Vanlandingham and Lisa McCutchan. "It was even more fun than last year, as I preferred this year's pieces and we are all better players now," noted Rowan. Still, the level of effort was quite intense, as she added that after three days of rehearsals, "It felt like your fingers were going to bleed." For Ana, playing for the first time in a full orchestra "was definitely interesting, as it added a movie-esque dimension to the songs."

Played in front a packed audience, the concert featured some enthralling playing by both middle school orchestras. As the students left the stage and returned to their seats, they were treated to a stunning performance by the All-Region high school orchestra; in front of the middle school students, they embodied their future goals and the promise of successes to come.