By: Snigdha Chakravarti
On Tuesday, November 11th, members of the WEHS music department gathered at Solstice Senior Living Center for the annual Veteran’s Day performance for the residents living there. This performance holds a special place in the hearts of both the musicians and the residents: it’s a time to commemorate the veterans who have served our country, and there’s no better way to do this than through music. What makes this even more special is that several of the residents living at Solstice are veterans! Indeed, the WEHS music department was honored to have performed that day, making the residents feel proud of themselves and their country. Senior Robin Solazzo, a member of the orchestra, vocal jazz, and chorus, remarked how it was “such a unique and amazing opportunity to provide that experience for the residents at Solstice.” In fact, many of the selections by the ensembles were familiar tunes for the residents, so it was truly a time to bond with them through this musical experience.
Many of the WEHS music ensembles were featured during the performance. The vocal jazz group performed the “Gershwin Jazz Trio,” which consisted of three songs: “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Chorus also performed several pieces, including “Tribute to the Armed Services,” a medley of armed forces songs that culminated with “America the Beautiful.” The instrumental groups that performed were jazz ensemble and orchestra. The jazz ensemble played two pieces— “American Patrol” and “Little Brown Jug”— and the orchestra performed “In the Mood” and a selection of six Beatles’ songs. In between performances, some students read out poems, and like the music, the meaning behind each poem resonated with the veterans too.
The 2025 Veteran’s Day performance at Solstice was, once again, a success for the WEHS music department, but more importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with and honor the residents there. Junior Sophia Liu commented how she “loved playing” and serving the community through this event. Many students felt this way too, as they were able to make a small, yet meaningful contribution to the lives of these residents.