Orchestra Goes to the Wolverine’s Festival

On Monday, April 29 the three SJHS Orchestras went to the Utah Valley University orchestra Festival. According to Alyssa Oman, a member of ninth-grade orchestra, all the orchestra students get to go to UVU to listen and perform in front of other schools and judges. The festival lasts all day and is very exciting. Shelby Smith, an eighth-grade orchestra member, said, “We go so we can improve. The judges tell us what we did wrong and it helps a lot. It is also a good opportunity to be graded by someone other than our teacher and play for people our own age.” 

Each orchestra played two or three songs. The seventh-grade orchestra played Dragon Hunter, American Hymn, and Entrada. Then the eighth graders played Apollo Suite, Terra Nova and Shenandoah. Lastly, the ninth-grade orchestra played Arlington Sketches and Sanseneon. Emori Brown, a seventh-grade girl, said, “The students played songs they have been working on in class for a while and watch other orchestras play, which is pretty fun.” 

The students have a lot of fun performing, however, they don’t just perform! The students get to listen to orchestras from other schools and eat lunch at UVU as well. Bradley Wilson, another eighth-grader, said, “The students who went had a lot of fun running around, and getting lost at UVU. We ate a great lunch and also had a good dessert!” 

Over all the festival was very successful. Alyssa Oman said, “My favorite part about the festival was playing songs with all of my orchestra friends. Orchestra is super fun and the music we play is awesome! It was really fun, I’d love to go again.”