By Madelyn Moua, Staff Photographer
On November 30th, FVHS’ very own String Orchestra performed at Disney’s California Adventure.
Fountain Valley’s Orchestra was not always the greatest at the beginning. There were many trial and errors, with concerts and other events. But with constant practice and an astonishing audition tape sent to Disney’s Performing Arts, they were able to achieve a performance.
It was a long and thrilling process. The students practiced the setlist of songs constantly, in and out of school for weeks on end. Splitting up into sections of higher and lower strings, with designated music coaches. The setlist included: Beauty in the Beast, Merry Christmas Darling, Antique Dance, This Is Halloween and Pirates of the Caribbean. The current freshman and new players who have changed instruments were struggling with the music, but with an hour of practice everyday, in school alone, they were thoroughly prepared.
A day before the performance, the orchestra was finalizing the setlist and tuning any sharp or flat notes. They discussed and organized the schedule and dress code for tomorrow. The attire was formal concert black, with suits and dresses, those were hung up and loaded as well. They packed their equipment for tomorrow into the mini-me and left the music binders in the bin.
At 7AM, the crowd began to gather at the front of the office in casual clothing and bags ready for the day. They loaded themselves onto the bus as they took attendance. Once there, they checked in and changed into their concert black. Soon the instruments were unloaded and they began to warm up. After rehearsal, they lined up and walked onto the prepared stage and tuned, then the first movement began.
The last two years of performing at Disney’s California Adventure, seemed bitter compared to this year. The seats empty and cold with an occasion of parents and Disney workers watching us. But this year was different, there was a sea of smiling faces, composed of families, couples and friends. With this new stricken confidence, the orchestra played better than before. Time passed like a bullet, and songs were introduced and played quickly.
The musicians finished the last measure of Pirates of the Caribbean with a bang and the audience was ecstatic. They stood up as one and bowed in unison as the crowd continued clapping. They walked off the stage and back to the cast members room. The head director of the Disney Arts stops everyone packing their instrument, to announce his news. He states that the orchestra, would be receiving a plaque for their achievement. All cheered in unison as they finished cleaning up.
Performing at Disney is the greatest honor that the Orchestra has been offered.
