Band and Orchestra performed together Monday night

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Alexa Mapes

Band and orchestra students performed together Monday in the auditorium.

Courtney Reid, Staff Reporter

The band and orchestra came together in the auditorium Monday night at 7 p.m. to offer both a new experience for the students and the audience.

 

“The concert gave students a chance to practice in a full orchestra and experience more professional sounds,” orchestra director Joey Sloan said. “If some wish to pursue a career in music it was vital they took this opportunity as they will more than likely perform with brass, wind, and strings. It is essential they get used to this.”

Some professional musicians prefer performing in a full orchestra setting.

“I much prefer playing with a full orchestra,” professional clarinet player with the New Texas Symphony Orchestra and University of Oklahoma graduate David Burney said. “The sound is bigger and fuller along with the music being challenging yet rewarding. There is also a lot more literature written for full orchestra since it is an older genre.”

The increased amount of instruments presented a certain challenge to Sloan.

“It wasn’t that it was harder to conduct a bigger group since I’ve gotten used to different sizes,” Sloan said. “It was that it took longer for each section to get comfortable with pieces.”

After practicing for weeks, students greatly enjoyed the concert.

“It was a great experience,” bass clarinet player and junior Jolen Martinez said. “It was nice to play with my orchestra friends along with my band friends. We also got to play fun music like Lord of the Rings.”