This week’s strings and orchestra concerts offered a delightful celebration of musical growth across our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Two distinct performances highlighted the journey of our students, from those just beginning their exploration of string instruments to the impressive skills of our Virtuosi and student soloists. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and progress evident in their playing over the past year. Read more about the two performances below.
5th & 6th Grade Orchestra, Ram Orchestra, and Intro to Strings | Tuesday, April 22
Our Fifth & Sixth Grade Orchestras, led by Middle School Orchestra Teacher Ethan Forte, were first to take the stage in Brauer Auditorium with a galloping rendition of the William Tell Overture, followed by the beloved Frère Jacques.
The Ram Orchestra then took the audience on a journey through the Shire with In Dreams from The Lord of the Rings. They also performed Ludwig’s Dance Party, a clever spin on classical music’s most famous four-note motif transformed by a techno-dance treatment. Who says Beethoven can’t be fun?
The Intro to Strings program, led by Strings Instructor Nicole Kovaluk, highlighted several traditional and folk songs in which the dedication and effort of these young musicians shone through.
Several pieces initially slated for the snowed-out winter concert finally had their chance to shine, performed by four talented small ensemble groups listed in the program here, which featured songs ranging from the classic Ode to Joy to the Korean folk song Arirang.
Our Intro to Strings Ensemble charmed the audience with a few jigs, first accompanied by Kovaluk on piano, and then with an adorable display of their multitasking skills as they navigated a figure-eight pattern on stage while playing.
Later, the Festival Orchestra, comprising all the young musicians, played Twinkling Stars and delivered a truly memorable and energetic performance that had everyone tapping their feet. Well done, Lower and Middle School instrumentalists!
Concert Orchestra, Upper School Orchestra, and Virtuosi | Wednesday, April 23
The more advanced musicians in this concert made their mark through several increasingly complex pieces. The Upper School Orchestra and Virtuosi kicked off the program with music from Wicked and Lord of the Rings before performing the classical French love song Plaisir d’Amour, then switching gears to the theme song from The Mandalorian.
The Concert Orchestra, comprised primarily of highly skilled seventh- and eighth-grade students, performed Battle, written by recent visiting artist Soon Hee Newbold. The piece was kicked off by the evocative sound of a Celtic violin from the back of Brauer Auditorium, played by Jemima Tzeng ’30. Next, they tackled Autumn from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with stellar violin soloists McCormack Amini ’29, Tarik Yagci ’29, and Evan Gao ’29. For their final number, the Concert Orchestra stepped into the Star Wars universe with a moody, light-saber-infused rendition of Duel of the Fates, made complete by a special appearance from accordion player Abigail “Darth” Bierman ’30.
The final portion of the concert featured a showcase of the MICDS Virtuosi, including three soloist pieces. First up was Ellie Chen ’26 on cello in Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. The solo cello part is known for its beautiful melodies and dramatic shifts in emotion, making it a physically and emotionally demanding performance.
Saivi Gadi ’25 was a solo violinist for Hayden’s Violin Concerto, a unique piece distinguished by its lyrical focus and simplicity compared to his other violin concertos.
Siboney Oviedo-Gray ’26 closed the show on piano with the celebrated Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin. The piano’s blend of improvisation and formal structure invited audience members to hear this classic piece in a whole new way.
At the conclusion of the program, the following national awards were presented:
- Siboney Oviedo-Gray ’26, The Director’s Award for Orchestra
- Ellie Chen ’26, The Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award
- Lucas Cheng ’27, National School Orchestra Award
The orchestra faculty and students surprised JK-12 Arts Department Chair Dr. Jo Nardolillo with a special goodbye, sharing thoughtful remarks about her impact on the arts department at MICDS and wishing her well on her next adventure in France.
Dr. Nardolillo said, “It is such a privilege for me to get to make music with such a dynamic group of young artists. Our musicians put together a program filled with musical pyrotechnics and even a few dramatic elements! It is remarkable that Virtuosi can present great works of the orchestral canon, including the celebrated Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin.”
These inspiring concerts underscore the vibrant and continuously evolving musical landscape within our school community.