The symphony orchestra of University High School plays “old.”
That is, the sonic output of the 63-member assemblage doesn’t necessarily sound like the work of teenaged musicians still learning their instruments.
“Hey, I appreciate hearing that,” director Corey Orban said in the midst of rehearsal last week.
“We’ve got a good bunch here.”
A bunch of getting-there players whose talents have once again put them under the spotlight in the Mountain State.
A day after that rehearsal, the orchestra packed up for a prestigious road gig at the 2020 West Virginia Music Educators Conference, in Charleston.
The musicians worked through Aaron Copland’s magisterial “Appalachian Spring” and other symphonic works that were lilting, reflective and just plain fun during this rehearsal.
One young violinist shimmied in his chair during an up-tempo piece ruled by the percussionists.
He grinned and gave a salute with his bow when he realized he was being observed.
Orban, himself a UHS grad (2008), presided over the music with a mix of seriousness and good humor.
“OK, let’s do C-1 again,” he said. “Sam, I’ll look at you when it’s time to come in.”
The conductor also dispensed some instructions on conduct for the students making their first trip to the music educators’ stage in Charleston.
“Guys, I don’t want you talking right now,” he said to a section that wasn’t playing during one particular passage. “That’s because you won’t be talking on the stage in Charleston.”
“No promises,” one musician said.
“Or, we could just leave you down there,” the conductor said, not missing a beat.
Orban also played in the UHS symphony while a student here.
“I’m home,” he said.
Which he said was already making for a catchy tune in Charleston.
The UHS percussion ensemble also went, along with the jazz band of Mountaineer Middle School. Orban works with those assemblages, also.
Joe McBee, meanwhile, liked what he was hearing — and even what he wasn’t.
“I don’t always hear the whole piece when we’re performing,” the junior tuba player said.
What he does hear, are musical montages wafting in and out of his ears.
That’s why he enjoys listening to recordings of the symphony’s performances.
“I can say, ‘That’s us. We did that.’”
TWEET @DominionPostWV
