Saturday, January 21, 2012

My Fall Orchestra Concert

In September, I auditioned to play violin for the junior orchestra. For the audition, I had to play two songs and three scales that I learned. During the audition, the conductor gave me a piece of music I had never seen before, and asked me to play it to make sure I know how to sight read (read music notes). I was really nervous because there were many older kids waiting in line with us. After I played, the conductor told me that I made it in and I was really excited. We practice every Saturday from 9:00 am until 11:30 am. The conductor is really nice and she decides the songs we will play for our concert.  Everyone in the orchestra must practice their part during the week on their own so that when we play together it sounds good.

In November, we had our first concert of the year. We played Themes From Harry Potter, by John Williams, Hansel and Gretel, by Engelbert Humperdinck, Holiday Dances by Mark Williams, and Trepak which is from The Nutcracker by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The day of the concert was very busy. We had to arrive early in the morning because we had a dress rehearsal. Everyone had to have black skirt or pants, white shirt, and black shoes. We played each song just once on stage because there was an older orchestra group waiting to rehearse. After the dress rehearsal, we had lunch and rested before the concert. When I was finished playing, we stayed and watched the older kids play. They played beautifully. Their pieces were really hard. I hope will someday play in adult orchestra!

Below is a video of part of our performance. At first my mom had a hard time finding me, but by the third song (minute 4:35 in the video) she finally figured out where I was sitting. 



What did you think of our performance? 

Have you ever been to a real concert?

12 comments:

  1. ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫

    Dear Sarah,

    Brava! Brava! (Remember that is Italian?)

    I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to your performance. The conductor chose a nice assortment of songs, and I could tell that everyone had really practiced! Magnificent!

    The last song you played, Tchaikovsky's Trepak was my favorite! It is such a lively piece!

    Can you tell us a little about an orchestra? How many sections? How many violinist were playing? How does the conductor help the orchestra?

    Thanks for a lovely concert, Sarah!


    Your proud teacher,
    Mrs. Y♥llis

    ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫

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    Replies
    1. Dear Mrs. Yollis,

      Thank you for leaving me a lovely comment! My favorite piece that we played was also Tchaikovsky's Trepak. Our orchestra only has string instruments. We have 4 types of instruments: violin, viola, cello and bass. The violins and cellos are divided into 2 groups 1st and second. We each have our own music. I am in the second violins section, but will probably be moved up to the first violins at our final concert for the year. The conductor will also be teaching some of us to play the viola and I really want to learn.

      The violins make up most of the orchestra. There are probably about 30 violins and we only have 1 bass.

      The conductor is really nice and helps us all play together. When we look at her hands we can tell when to start and when to finish so we all sound great together. She also teaches us when to play fast and when to play slow. She also tells us when to play loud and when to play quite.

      My next concert will be in March and we are learning many new pieces.

      Sincerely,
      ♫Sarah♫

      Delete
  2. Absolutely amazing Sarah! What a wonderful and exciting experience. I love classical music and have several friends that play in an orchestra and they also have to rehearse a lot. Your performance was excellent and I think your mom did a good job filming you too :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mr. Miller,

      Thank you so much for your wonderful comment to me. I am really glad that you visited my blog and I hope you continue to comment. I also have to rehearse a lot. We have practice every Saturday for 2 and a half hours plus I have to practice my pieces at home.

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

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  3. Dear Sarah,
    We are proud,proud and proud of you! You are not only talented but you are a hard worker also. You understand that to achieve good results in gymnastics or in music you have to work hard. Your wish to play piano,violin and now viola makes me feel big respect to you.
    Now I have some questions. They are complicated for your age and you may not answer them or you can answer me later:
    1. When you play alone or with the orchestra can you feel something what is this music about?
    Can you imagine that it happens in spring may be it*s a waking up nature or it*s another season of the year? This is only an example and you may have another feeling of the music you play.
    2. Does the conductor explain you what the composer wanted to express in his music?
    Wish you every success, love you
    Grandpa and Grandma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

      Thank you for leaving me a lovely comment! Some music I can feel the music like Chopin pieces, and some I can't. The conductor explains to us when to play loud and when to play quiet. The conductor also teaches us how to play together. I hope you continue to leave me lovely comments.

      I love you!

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete
  4. Dear Sarah,

    Your violin playing is amazing!
    I took violin lessons 2 years ago, but it was so hard!
    Was it hard for you to learn how to play?
    What is your favorite piece?
    Is it fun to play in an orchestra?
    It sounds amazing.

    Love,

    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  5. ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫
    Dear Sarah,

    You played beautifully! My favorite piece is Tchaikovsky's Trepak. I also liked the holiday piece. You looked so pretty in your black skirt!

    I have been in a real concert before with you and I am going this weekend with my friend. It is going to be a Walt Disney youth orchestra playing. I am so excited!

    I love you very much!

    Your Sister,
    ♥Miriam♥
    ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫
      Dear Miriam,

      Thank you for leaving me a lovely comment. My favorite piece is also Tchaikovsky's Trepak. I know you went to see a real orchestra play today. Did you like the concert? Which instrument do you like best? What was your favorite piece that they played? I hope you will continue to leave me some lovely comments!

      I love you!

      Sincerely
      Sarah
      ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫ ♬ ♫

      Delete
  6. Hi Sarah!

    Your violin playing brought me a wonderful break during my busy day, thank you! Maybe one day we will hear you playing on the classical music station on the radio!

    Love,

    Auntie Elana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Elana,

      I really enjoyed reading your comment! Have you ever heard of the song Czardas? I am learning it right now.I hope you will continue to leave me some lovely comments!

      Sincerely,
      Sarah

      Delete
  7. Dear kelly,

    Thank you for leaving me a lovely comment. It was hard for me to learn the violin especially in the beginning. I had a hard time learning to hold my violin and bow. But once I learned, I really started to like to play. I hope you continue to leave me some lovely comments!

    Sincerely,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete

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