Side by Side 2025

On March 20th, 2025, the Symphony Orchestra high school musicians collaborated with Arcadia elementary school musicians for an epic performance. The elementary school students got a taste of being in a real orchestra, having a conductor, huge audience, and supportive stand partners. The evening started with Symphony Orchestra performing the first and second movements of Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony and Hoe Down from Rodeo by Aaron Copland, pieces Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra have been perfecting in time for the upcoming Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) festival performance and the Spring Concert on March 28th. Many elementary school students were left in awe by the brief glimpse of their potential future in an advanced high school orchestra.

After a brief intermission period, the elementary school musicians flooded on stage in preparation for their spotlight performance. The combined orchestra kicked off with Terra Nova by Richard Meyer, conducted by Geoffrey Summers. The next piece was the timeless classic Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen from the musical The Wizard of Oz, conducted by Cindy Liu, followed by Conrad Henning conducting Hunter’s Chorus by Carl Maria von Weber. For the finale piece, Ms. Chen conducted Canon Cannon, a mash-up of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D and P.I. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, arranged by Caryn Wiegand Neidhold. The finale included big booms that echoed around the Performing Arts Center, startling many audience members and performers. 

The elementary and high school musicians all took a bow in unison, symbolizing the combined efforts of both groups and the elementary schooler’s newfound admiration for Arcadia High School’s orchestra program. Many elementary students’ parents felt proud of their child’s accomplishments and future within Arcadia’s music program. Perhaps one day, their child will become a supportive stand partner in the Arcadia High School orchestra.