Award-winning orchestras find harmony in music, friendship

The school's orchestra department received a first-place trophy.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Members of the high school's grand championship winning orchestras say the music and the camaraderie keep them involved.
"I really enjoy the music we play. And, we all spend so much time together, not only in school, but on trips to state and national competitions -- we really are good friends," said Meagan Van Brocklin, a senior clarinetist, who also is the Symphony Orchestra's wind representative.
"I'm involved in a lot of school activities, but orchestra is by far my favorite," added Kelly Lake, a junior percussionist who also serves as the orchestra's head librarian. "You make so many friends in orchestra. You become like a family."
The three orchestras -- symphony, classical and chamber -- traveled last weekend to the Fiesta-Val National Music Competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The competition draws bands, choirs, jazz ensembles and orchestras from 10 states.
The 138 members of the Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra's 40 members both ranked superior and grabbed first-place trophies in their respective divisions. The 106-member Classical Orchestra earned an excellent rating and a second-place trophy in its division.
The combined high scores from the three groups netted the school's orchestra department the first-place orchestra division trophy.
Upcoming concert
The orchestras will perform a concert at 7 p.m. May 24 in the high school's Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature many of the pieces that were part of the competition. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and senior citizens; preschool children get in free.
Three Chamber Orchestra senior soloists, cellist Andrea Albertini and violinists Katie Yazvac and Adam Waller, each garnered special recognition trophies from competition judges. Orchestra members said that's an honor rarely bestowed on string musicians at the competition.
Orchestra director Frank Dispenza's explanation: "They're really good," he said. "They work hard."
The Symphony Orchestra's violin section also earned a judges' special recognition award as the "outstanding violin section."
"There were a lot of different instrumental groups competing," said Andrea, the trophy-winning cello soloist and orchestra president. "We had the highest scores of all of the instrumental groups and received the instrumental grand championship trophy. We're really happy about that."
Senior Katie Young switched to trombone this year after playing viola for seven years because the orchestra needed more brass. Musicians from other sections also switched to brass instruments this year, she said.
Each orchestra must have a designated number of musicians in each section to compete.
"It really came together" for the competition, Katie said.
Challenging piece
Adam, a trophy winner for his violin solo and the orchestra's secretary, cited "The Moldau," an 1894 composition by Bedrich Smetana as the most challenging piece the orchestra performed.
According to the OrchestraXpres Web site, the piece depicts the course of a river from its two sources, one cold and one warm, to the joining of the streams and its flow through forests and fields.
Despite its difficulty, senior Brittany Wilie, who plays viola and is orchestra publicist, lists "The Moldau" as her favorite piece of the performance. "It's the hardest, but we're up to the challenge," she said.
Scott Deascentis, also a senior who plays viola, doesn't have a particular favorite. "I like them all," he said.
The composition begins with the flute section with other instrumental sections added as the piece progresses, explained senior Brandon Rader, who plays bass and is the orchestra's treasurer.
Much rehearsal time
The orchestra rehearses each morning in class as well as sectional practices. Each group, such as string or wind, practices individually after school about once a week, said Ben Cervone, a senior and orchestra vice president who plays bass. Each student also practices at home on their own time.
Marissa Centofanti, the orchestra's sophomore representative and a cellist, said it's gratifying to see the orchestra work together throughout the school year and earn the top honors.
There was a moment during the competition, however, when things could have turned. At one point during their performance, lights in the auditorium went out, said Sara Henson, a cellist and the orchestra junior representative. The members kept playing and completed their entry.
It was a bit disconcerting, but "it was exciting," Sara said.
Stroke of luck
While some orchestra members may have charming anecdotes about how they chose their instruments, fate may have had something to do with senior Jessica Eddy, orchestra head manager, picking the viola.
When Boardman pupils are in the fourth grade, orchestra members come and demonstrate different instruments to generate interest among the younger children.
"There were tons of people lined up at the cello and violin," Jessica said. "But there wasn't anyone at the viola." That's what she decided to play, and she said she has no regrets eight years later.
"I'm glad I chose it," Jessica said.