Winter Orchestra Musicians Delight Rams Community

The MICDS Winter Orchestra Concert was filled with fun and beautiful music this week! On Tuesday, December 6, our strings and orchestra students from Lower, Middle, and Upper School put on a spectacular performance for their families, friends, and the greater MICDS community. The concert included four groups of musicians: MICDS Strings (third and fourth-grade violinists), 7th Grade Orchestra, 8th Grade Orchestra, and Upper School Orchestra. MICDS Strings was under the direction of Nicole Kovaluk, MICDS Strings Instructor, while the orchestras were under Dr. Jo Nardolillo, JK-12 Arts Department Chair and Orchestra Director, and Assistant Director Erin Hamill.

This winter concert was the debut performance of the newest MICDS strings students who started just a few months ago. From the beginner strings students to our senior musicians, attendees enjoyed a wonderful selection of music that filled Brauer Auditorium. Across the groups, such songs could be heard as Open String Blues by Lars-Erik Sundell, Into the Sky! by Brian Balmages, Aspen Glow by Susan Day, Symphony no. 7 II Allegretto by Ludwig van Beethoven, and the theme from “Game of Thrones” by Ramin Djawadi. Students loved the music selections. “My favorite part of the concert was the pieces we played,” shared Isha Bogachenchu ’27. “Everyone in the orchestra worked really hard on all these pieces, and when it was time for the concert, the whole orchestra put on a very beautiful performance!”

There were also many highlights strung throughout the program. Concertmasters Syeda Harvey ’28 and Maria Wansong ’28 did a marvelous job leading the seventh-grade orchestra. The eighth grade added special zombie effects, including a scream solo by Elinor Verdine ’27, to their performance of Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space by Richard Meyer. Featured soloist Ava Janes ’23 played a pyrotechnic virtuosity in the Mozart concerto performed by Upper School. There was an MICDS Trio performance of Phantom of the Opera. Everyone also enjoyed the grand finale performance of “Game of Thrones” in a Festival Orchestra of all the strings and orchestra musicians and faculty with Middle & Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Becky Long on the drum.

“It was exhilarating to be on stage with these young musicians who invested so deeply in taking the audience on a fantastic musical journey!” expressed Dr. Nardolillo.

Students also had a lot of fun seeing all of their practice time come together in the show. “My favorite part of the concert was being able to showcase and celebrate all our hard work this semester as an orchestra,” reflected Saivi Gadi ’25. “Throughout the semester, we have learned that during a performance, the goal should be to take the audience on an emotional journey through music. I think we definitely achieved this! More than anything, it was amazing to see how much we all have improved since the beginning of the year; individually and as a team.”

Saivi also commented on her exciting orchestra experiences. “Orchestra has been such a great class this year! Not only did we play some really great music, we also had many enriching experiences like meeting with Mr. Reynard Burns, the composer of Tango Loco (a piece we played in the concert). Being able to meet him was illuminating as we got to play Tango Loco for him, ask questions, and get helpful feedback. In addition, I always look forward to the fun that Dr. Nardolillo and Ms. Hamill incorporate into class! They never fail to spark an interesting conversation that gets us all thinking (even if it’s first thing in the morning!) and helps us understand the purpose of music and performing. Also, in my time in orchestra, I have made so many friends with people in all grades and have further expanded my musical knowledge.”

After the concert, the audience and musicians enjoyed a reception in the Hearth Room provided by the Parents Association Arts Boosters. What a fun evening for all!

View the program for a list of all students involved in the concert and for the complete list of music played. A standing ovation to these Ram musicians and their teachers for their phenomenal concert!