Orchestras hoping to hit the right notes

The school’s five orchestras competing Wednesday-Friday

Practicing for Wednesdays UIL competition, freshman Caroline Attmore is in the Sinfonia Orchestra, one of five orchestras on campus taking part in UIL competitions Wednesday through Friday at Lebanon Trail High School.

Lucas Barr

Practicing for Wednesday’s UIL competition, freshman Caroline Attmore is in the Sinfonia Orchestra, one of five orchestras on campus taking part in UIL competitions Wednesday through Friday at Lebanon Trail High School.

Lucas Barr, Staff Reporter

Orchestra heads to Lebanon Trail High School beginning Wednesday to compete in the UIL Orchestra competition with all five orchestras participating in the sight reading and concert competition.

“I’m looking forward to performing and showing how much we’ve progressed this year,” sophomore violist Tanmay Mathur said. “I’ve been practicing about 45 minutes a day, for the past four months. It’s a great motivator to get better and go to higher orchestras, because you have the opportunity to see what judges are like, and how you should be.”

Orchestra students have been working since winter break on three pieces for the concert, two of which are on a prescribed music list, to be prepared for the competition.

“We have been preparing for UIL for six weeks,” Fickling said. “We have had weekly sectionals, extra rehearsals, and have been having intense rehearsal time in class, to make sure we sound superior at UIL.

Throughout the past few weeks, orchestra students have had to record parts of songs and submit them online to receive feedback from the directors to ensure everyone is prepared.

“I’ve been practicing a lot, looking over the music, and listening to recordings,” freshman violist Giorgia Mastrolorenzo said. “We have the chance to work on something really really hard, bust our butts, and receive feedback from judges for all our hard work. If we actually play well it’s a pay off for all our hard work.”

Orchestras are rated on a one to five scale, with a one representing superior work and a five equaling poor.  

“I would really love it if all five of the orchestras got a one, which is superior at UIL,” Fickling said. “But even more importantly, would be that the students have a genuine musical experience.”