The orchestra program held its annual Autumn Serenade concert on Thursday, Nov. 6 in the Performing Arts Center (PAC), featuring the world premiere of the two originally composed pieces: “A Hidden Serenade” composed by violinist senior Gabriel Gonzalez and “Fairytale Violin Concerto” composed by professional composer Wesley Chu.
The concert showcased multiple skill levels. The Challenger Orchestra from Suzanne Middle School, Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra played their respective pieces as well as coming together for a portion of the program.
The concert began with Concert Orchestra and Challenger Orchestra playing “Presto” from Symphony No.1 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, conducted by band and orchestra director Katie Takahashi. The stage was then handed over to Suzanne music teacher Ami Garvin to conduct the renowned funeral piece “It Is Well With My Soul” by Philip Bliss and “Brigid’s Fire” by Jeffery S. Bishop.
After a brief intermission, all three orchestras came together to play “For Good” by Stephen Schwartz from the film “Wicked” (2024) and “Atoms!” by Katie O’Hara. After “For Good,” Takahashi reminisced on Garvin’s significant impact on her life, serving as her first band director and inspiring her to become a music educator.
“[The piece] was chosen because the Wicked movie is coming out soon, and I thought it would be a fun piece to play all together,” Takahashi said.
After another short intermission, Symphonic Orchestra began their section of the program with “Winter” by Antonio Vivaldi, featuring violinist senior Samuel Rao and front ensemble section leader senior Suki Hsu. Rao chose the piece for his love of Vivaldi’s composition “The Four Seasons,” and because winter was approaching. After hours of rehearsal starting from last year, he felt accomplished.
“I think my solo was amazing. When I practiced my solo by myself, it was only one violin and did not sound interesting; with the entire orchestra today, it sounded very interesting because I heard many voices. There was a story,” Rao said. “I would say the beginning is about very cold ice, as I’m playing all the trills. When I play the faster notes, it could mean a very cold wind that’s blowing, and then when I play the double notes, it reminds me of a fire for some reason. [Finally], at the end [I picture] the ice and the snow coming back.”
Hsu began the next piece, “Colombian Marimba Concerto” by Sergei Golovko with a lone melody on the marimba, then joined in by accompaniment from the rest of the orchestra and a variety of different instruments—bass, guitar, congas, drumset and piano—for an upbeat and lively performance. Hsu chose the piece for its memorable rhythm, style and overall melody for an enjoyable learning experience for both her and the orchestra.
“I was really happy many people enjoyed playing and listening to the concerto; once everyone joined in, I found myself just enjoying the groove and having fun,” Hsu said. “My favorite part of the piece was when the whole orchestra joins in on the main theme. The music really elevates and it’s amazing to hear all the different parts of the music come together into a waterfall of colorful sounds.”
Gonzalez then conducted his piece, “A Hidden Serenade,” marking the first time in Walnut history a student has both composed and conducted their original piece for the orchestra. Following was “Cello Concerto No. 1” by Saint Saint-Saëns, featuring cellist senior Simona Le. Closing off the concert was Hoedown from “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland featuring a variety of students.
With its composer Wesley Chu in the audience, the orchestra played “Fairytale Violin Concerto,” featuring violinist senior Thompson Lee. Preparations began for the piece when Lee asked Chu, from his music school, Fried Music, to collaborate in creating a piece. After a year of ups and downs and experimenting with different softwares, the piece came to fruition that night.
“I feel very satisfied, relieved and happy. We had many ups and downs. My piece has been in the works for over a year and it wasn’t until last night’s rehearsal that I felt confident in my own ability. I think everyone pulled it off [in the end], and I’m very happy with our results,” Lee said. “I feel bittersweet. It’s my last Autumn Serenade, but also the most impactful [one] for me. Now, we have holiday music, which is also really fun, so I’m looking forward to that.”
