The Show Went On!

On Thursday, January 30^th, 2014, Joliet Township Orchestra took the stage. Despite the cancellation of the students’ dress rehearsal due to brutally cold temperatures, the show went on. Although transitions from orchestra to orchestra were a bit chaotic, the concert as a whole went well. The first group to perform was the Steelmen Strings. This is the general orchestra that every performer goes through. With more than a hundred musicians from both Central and West, the group barely fit onstage. This orchestra is made up of high school students from freshmen to seniors. As the musicians found their seats, and the audience settled, the concert master and conductor walked out onstage. The show began shortly. The first piece played was, “The Star Spangled Banner.” The audience rose, with right hands placed over their hearts. Four songs followed the national anthem. To wrap up the show, “The Journey,” was performed. It was a four page piece that covered the musician’s stands and then some. Next to take the stage was the Philharmonia. It’s an audition-only group that’s offered for the advanced musicians. These advanced musicians played the three movement Brandenburg Concerto by J.S. Bach. Up next was the Symphonic Orchestra. Most musicians from the Philharmonia stayed onstage when they were done playing the concerto because they belonged to the Symphony Orchestra as well. Not just musicians from Philharmonia, but from the Steelmen Strings and Band (both West and Central). Players in this orchestra meet Monday nights from six to eight. This orchestra met less than ten times, and almost did not perform. But the show must go on! With what is considered a full orchestra, band members and all, “Overture to Russlan” and “Ludmilla” by Glinka was performed. The dazzling piece left the crowd was in awe when finished. All in all, the concert was a success once again. Audience was left pleased and the students were ridden of all their stress.