Hellgate’s Advanced orchestra just had their fall concert along with both of Sentinel’s orchestras. The group played two pieces, October by Eric Whitacre arranged by Paul Lavender, and Symphony No. 25 arranged by LaJoie. While this was a normal concert for the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, it was a sort of milestone for seniors, being their last fall concert before graduation, and the beginning of the end of playing for a high school orchestra.
Despite the year just getting started, many seniors have already begun making decisions regarding their futures, such as applying for colleges, scholarships, and for this specific group of students, dividing what role music will play in their futures.
Senior Caroline Chitty has been playing the cello for seven years, since the fifth grade. When asked what influenced her to pick the instrument, she said, “It sounded pretty, and I was too short to play the bass.” Since then, she has grown to love the cello, as well as the class.
Chitty has many fond memories from the orchestra, noting that the highlight of the class for her is “Mr. Davis’ dad jokes, but going to New York and seeing some amazing live performances was also super cool.” The music itself also played a role for Chitty, as she mentioned the piece October from the latest concert. “I really loved how all the different instruments worked together and built off of each other’s sound.”
Malakai Murphy, who is first chair bass in Hellgate’s advanced orchestra, has been playing bass since the fifth grade, but he also knows how to play violin, viola, cello, and piano. “I chose my instrument (the bass) in fifth grade because my sister had played it, and my friends chose bass in my orchestra so I followed,” Murphy said.
Lenora Sackey, who is principal bass in MYS, or Missoula Youth Symphony, shared the story of how they ended up playing the bass. “My brother played violin, so of course I had to pick something different. I ended up with the bass after an instrument introduction night. I considered playing the oboe, I was the only kid who could get it to make a sound, but in the end I knew I wanted to be a part of the orchestra,” Sackey said.
“I think my favorite part of orchestra has been the community,” Sackey said. “You meet some talented people who are really passionate about their craft, and the music just brings people together. I also really like hearing our music come together over time with practice. Overall being surrounded by others with the same passion as you is a very cool feeling.”
All three of them know that they want music to be a part of their life’s past high school, but of course each person had a different vision on what that may look like for them. Both Sackey and Murphy plan to play in college, despite neither of them aspiring for musical careers, while Chitty just hopes to be able to continue the hobby in her free time.
“I don’t think I will pursue a career in music though because I aim to major in political science, but if I can fit it into a minor that would be great! Overall I hope I’m able to keep my skill even if I don’t go into music,” Murphy said.
Regardless of each student’s future plans, one thing was certain, that music would always have a part in their lives, even if they weren’t meeting in the same room for an hour of scheduled practice each day.
