TP Chamber Strings gathers in front of the Norman R. Loats Performing Arts Center. They received the unanimous superior performance rating at the festival, qualifying for regionals. Photo courtesy of Thomas Ducom.
Bringing home a unanimous superior performance rating from four judges on March 13, the Torrey Pines Chamber Strings (Advanced Orchestra) class attended the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association Festival at Newport Harbor High School. This rating qualified the class for SCSBOA Regionals.
“We were hoping to do good in the competition, and we ended up doing [well] … so we were all really happy,” viola player Thomas Ducom (11) said.
Regionals, although outwardly competitive, is a testament to the musicians’ success. During the competition, TP Chamber Strings will perform a piece they already played in addition to a new one, demanding extra skill from the students. The judges are also more critical and students will get judged on their sight reading 一 an exercise where students are given a piece of music they have never seen before and are given four minutes to review it before performing it in front of a judge.
“Everyone who received a superior [rating] at local levels gets to register for regionals, and then it’s kind of the same [idea] … but [the judges] are rating us at a higher level,” Amy Gelb, Music Director, AP Music Theory and Digital Composition teacher, said.
Students took a bus to NHHS, where they spent 25 minutes in a warm-up room before going on stage and performing for the judges and were actively scored. After the performance, the students went into a clinic room where a judge worked with them for 30 minutes, highlighting what the students did well and improvements they could make. TP Chamber Strings performed “Of Glorious Plumage” by Richard Meyer and “Luberon Dances” by Martin Ellerby.
“My favorite piece to play was ‘Of Glorious Plumage’ … I think we played it really well,” Ducom said.
Principal cellist Vera Muller (9) agreed.
“[The piece is] about a bird taking flight … and I think we were able to portray that with the phrasing and dynamics quite well,” Muller said.
TP Chamber Strings is no stranger to success, receiving unanimous superior ratings at SCSBOA Festivals for the last six years.
“The kids worked really hard, and for a while the kids were calling it a legacy … [they thought] we have to get the unanimous superior,” Gelb said.
This year, Gelb observed improvement, even with an added number of players and instruments. The students come to class ready to collaborate and show effort during strong in-class rehearsals, according to Gelb.
“Just technique-wise, the orchestra is quite young this year, and I’ve seen a huge leap from the beginning of the year until now,” Gelb said. “The older kids help the younger kids … we’ve gone up quite a few levels this year.”
The students’ growth isn’t just accredited to the development of new skills, but is also fueled by their work ethic.
“They all are listening and quiet and focused, and they all want to do well … I think everyone kind of has the same drive and focus,” Gelb said.
Beyond providing the opportunity to win a title, the orchestra also serves as a place for students to find a supportive community and bond through their shared love of music.
“By the beginning of the year, they are really quiet and don’t want to say anything … they make really strong friends in their freshman year, and then they are with me for all four years … it’s neat for them to find people they have common interest with,” Gelb said.
Muller shared the same sentiment.
“I’ve definitely made friends from orchestra … it’s nice to have a little community,” Muller said.
From floating melodies to nimble fingers, TP Chamber Strings continues to draw in expressive and creative students, forming an artistic community on campus.
“I’m really thankful for Mrs. Gelb for [running] the program and keeping the music program a part of TPHS and bringing in new students,” Ducom said.