Musical Ensembles Take Center Stage: Two Nights of Strings & Orchestra

This week, Brauer Hall was filled with music, thanks to two stunning strings and orchestra concerts for the MICDS community.

Lower School After-School Strings Program, Orchestra 5, Orchestra 6, Middle School Ram Orchestra

On December 9, students in the LS After-School Strings Program, Fifth-Grade Orchestra, Sixth-Grade Orchestra, and Middle School Ram Orchestra performed for an eager and packed house. The program showcased the strings and orchestra programs at all lower and middle school levels. From learning how to pluck strings and play with a bow to doing all that and more simultaneously, students were excited to show off their skills.

After an introduction from JK-12 Arts Department Chair Dr. Jo Nardolillo, Strings and Orchestra instructors Ethan Forte, Erin Hamill, and Nicole Kovaluk got the program underway. While one led the student ensembles during the program, the others supported each group as accompanists, pianists, and student helpers throughout the performances.

After-School Strings Program

Orchestra Teacher Nicole Kovaluk introduced the Lower School After-School Strings students and detailed a variety of basic skills they are learning. They played a D major scale in a round, Medley of Friends in four movements, the American folk song Rocky Mountain, and Hootenanny by Karen Kroger. Kovaluk also shared the exciting news that the after-school program will soon open up to Middle School students.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Orchestras

Next to take the stage were the fifth and sixth graders, led by Orchestra Teacher Ethan Forte and Assistant Orchestra Teacher Erin Hamill. Hamill and Forte provided context for the student skills at this level and detailed the various techniques used in their five numbers. They played Grandpa’s Tree Swing, the American fiddle tune Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down, the 16th-century carol Good King Wenceslas, the traditional Hanukkah song Dreidel, and the beloved winter classic Jingle Bells.

Middle School Ram Orchestra

The Middle School Ram Orchestra, led by Forte, took the stage and closed out the evening with more complex arrangements, such as the First Scale March, Frosty the Snowman, the theme from The Mandalorian, and Into the Sky.

Forte shared, « The students did a wonderful job adapting to the constantly changing environment. There were several set changes as we moved from group to group; we even had changes as we moved from one piece to the next! I’m so proud of the students for focusing on making music as an ensemble during the busy evening! »

Click here to view the full concert program.

Middle School Concert Orchestra, Upper School Orchestra, Virtuosi Performance

On December 12, students in the Middle School Concert Orchestra, Upper School Orchestra, and Virtuosi performed in Brauer Hall for a festive program of musical numbers showcasing a variety of genres and themes. Former MICDS Assistant Head of School Brian Thomas was a guest at the evening’s performance, and Hamill recognized his important work in setting the stage for our current program.

Upper School Orchestra

Led by Forte, the Upper School Orchestra kicked off the evening with three uniquely different songs. First was a spirited, high-energy work, Eat My Rosin Dust by Brian Balmages, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 3, and Walk the Moon’s recent hit, Shut Up and Dance. Dr. Nardolillo explained that orchestra musicians begin on the stage, even before the audience enters, so their instruments have time to adjust to room temperature before tuning. She noted that it’s often warmer on the stage due to lights, and by tuning instruments after they’ve acclimated, the instruments better stay in tune throughout the concert, which only enhances the audience experience. She also noted the empty chair in the front, reserved for the Concertmaster. The Concertmaster bows when they take the stage because they represent the entire orchestra.

Concert Orchestra

The Concert Orchestra, led by Nardolillo, took the stage to play the themes from The Addams Family and The Mandalorian, the Swedish folk song Herr Mannelig, including violin and cello solos from Tarik Yagci ’29 and Alexander Kim ’30, and Brahams’ Hungarian Dance no. 5. Dr. Nardolillo handed a baton to McCormack Amini ’29 for the first time, a momentous occasion in the life of a young musician. (After the concert, Amini tried to return the baton to Dr. Nardolillo and was excited to learn that it was his to keep!) The Addams Family theme was replete with bells, whistles, and noisemakers, and the audience participated by snapping along at just the right times. When Dr. Nardolillo assumed the role of conductor for The Mandalorian, she solemnly said, « This is the way. » Her musicians responded in kind, and then the dramatic performance was underway. For Hungarian Dance no. 5, a student explained that the Concert Orchestra would be performing without a conductor. The role of a conductor is to guide musicians through tempo changes, dynamics, and cues, and this particular piece has a lot. When an ensemble plays conductorless, the role is passed to the Concertmaster, who is forced to conduct with subtle cues even as they are playing themselves.

Virtuosi

The MICDS Virtuosi, also led by Nardolillo, closed the program with another Brian Balmages work, Ice Sculptures, featuring a cello solo from Ellie Chen ’26. They then played the classic orchestral suite Scheherazade, with a violin solo from Saivi Gadi ’25, and the fourth movement of Dmitri Shostakovich’s 1937 work Allegretto from Symphony no. 5. Dr. Nardolillo explained that the Virtuosi is completely student-driven. « They pick the music, run the rehearsals, and work out their musical interpretation of the ideas of each piece, » she said. She noted that these students are particularly hard-working and that it’s a joy for her and the other orchestra and strings teachers to play with them. « Wynton Marsalis said that the best way to get really good is to play with really good musicians at a professional level, so that’s why we play with our students. Plus, we really just like to play music with them! »

Virtuosi students also took time to talk about each piece before its performance, calling out specific instruments and parts to listen for. The corresponding musicians then demonstrated those pieces before the full ensemble played, giving listeners notes on what to expect and how to get the most out of the performance.