From the first note to the final bow, the 2025 Spring Concert was a successful night, showcasing the talent and dedication of Arcadia High School’s Premier, String, Concert, and Symphony Orchestras and Foothill Middle School’s Orchestra. Each orchestra brought something unique to the stage, including fun rhythms of Celtic songs and the powerful theme of Holst’s Jupiter.

Premier and String Orchestra opened the night with selections first heard at this year’s Orchestra Benefit Dinner, but hearing them in the concert hall was just as exciting the second time. A definite crowd favorite was Keltic Feast by Arcadia alumnus Richard Meyer. The orchestra’s rhythm and control made it hard not to tap along, and the coordination between the two orchestras showed how much time had been put into mastering the piece as an ensemble. The String Orchestra continued with two movements from Norman Leyden’s Serenade for Strings, a piece that shifts between musical styles.

Next, Concert and Symphony Orchestras combined for Simple Symphony by Benjamin Britten, a piece that was nowhere near simple. A highlight of this piece was its nontraditional second movement, Playful Pizzicato, which is shockingly composed entirely of pizzicato. The movement demanded an impressive level of control, as every plucked note stayed crisp and in-tune. 

Finally, the Symphony Orchestra returned to the stage for a dramatic and exciting finale. Copland’s Hoe Down with fast rhythms and dynamics brought the American West to life. Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry was a perfect contrast as it was gentle and moving. Sarah Li, Symphony Orchestra’s first chair cellist, shared that her personal favorite piece was Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s The Planets. Though she claimed the piece wasn’t difficult (an opinion some may not agree with) she acknowledged that it was a challenge to coordinate with the band and stay unified through the piece’s changing tempos and textures. “I found the string crossings to be difficult as it required precision and control to play fast, light notes. The transitions between lyrical phrases and energetic passages pushed us to listen and respond as a section.” Sarah said.

From the exciting rhythms of Keltic Feast to the depth of Sentimental Sarabande, the third movement of Simple Symphony, the concert was a journey through contrasting moods and styles. The evening wasn’t just about music; it was about the connection between players, orchestras, and years of shared memories. Though this isn’t our final performance of the year, the continuing tradition of senior speeches added a special meaning to the night. Hearing their stories, gratitude, and love for orchestra reminded everyone of what our program truly means. It was a celebration of more than just technique; instead, it was a celebration of hard work and the people who make the music matter.