Tesoro orchestras finish a heartfelt year

Tesoro's string ensemble

The combined string ensembles of 2010 led by Mrs. Olinger at the finale concert on June 7.

On June 7, Tesoro’s orchestras performed their last concert of the year together for their parents, their siblings, and even alumni.

String ensemble, composed of mostly younger students, performed the Hornpipe from “Water Music”, by Handel, “Farandole” from the L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2, the well known “Eleanor Rigby” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and “American Reel” by Mosier, which featured violin soloists freshman Yurie Hanaoka and sophomore George Schnaars.

“I felt the string ensemble’s performance was strong considering that we hadn’t rehearsed together in a couple of days due to the schedule changes caused by the furlough days,” sophomore violinist Ali Barnes expressed. “My favorite part of the concert was at the end when all of the musicians went on stage and played the finale together for the seniors.”

After a brief intermission, the chamber orchestra began their performance with an opening duet on Mozart’s K. 464 by sophomore violinist Kimmi Levin and senior violist Nicole Marcelino.

“It’s gotten easier after the years,” Levin acknowledges, “but it doesn’t mean going into the spotlight doesn’t still make me want to be sick.”

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Tesoro instrumental music dominates at adjudicated festivals

Mrs. Olinger steps up onto the platform to conduct the combined String Ensembles. The orchestra is made up of the fourth and sixth periods of string orchestra.

Mrs. Olinger steps up onto the platform to conduct the combined String Ensembles. The orchestra is made up of the fourth and sixth periods of string orchestra.

Last week, Tesoro’s bands and orchestras competed against other Southern California high schools in adjudicated festivals that judge the school’s musical talent, both on technical skill and the ability to turn the notes on the page into music.

On Monday, March 22, Wind Ensemble attended a festival at San Juan Hills High School, performing the “American Elegy” by Frank Ticheli and “Shepherd’s Hey” by Percy Grainger. The ensemble earned unanimous superior ratings, the highest possible awarded rank, under the supervision of band director Mr. Magana. “We spent months preparing for this performance and it really paid off,” junior saxophonist Kayl Eubanks said. “We had a great show and we received the highest rating possible,” senior soloist Jason Kopzynski said. “I feel incredible knowing that our band gave our best performance at festival and pulled off a unanimous superior. We were well rehearsed, and according to one of the judges we were the best performance of the night.”

Wednesday, March 24, Wind Ensemble and both Concert Bands performed at the SCSBOA festival held at Tesoro, and both placed among the top out of the seven schools that were in the competition. Concert Band, who played “Longwood Celebration” by Carl Strommen, “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss” by David Holsinger, and “Celebration and Song”, came very close to perfect with a rating of superior, the score surpassed only by a unanimous superior. “It was really fun to perform for our friends and for our families,” junior Amy McElroy said. “Both of our bands worked hard and got superiors.”

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