By Jaiha Lee
The Williamsville East Symphonic Orchestra is filled with talented musicians who strive for achievement and bring creativity into the community. On November 2nd, the orchestra will have the honor of playing for the District High School Orchestra Festival Concert at North High School, with the Williamsville North and South High School orchestras and the renown Miro Quartet, one of the most respected and brilliant quartets in the world. On November 3rd, chamber groups from the three high schools will play music for the Miro Quartet’s pre-concert show at the University at Buffalo. Formed in 1995, the Austin-based quartet has won awards at various competitions, recently played a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall, and were awarded the Avery Fischer Career Grant in 2005, the first ensemble to ever earn this grant.
One piece they will be playing is Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Thallis, written by composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. In this ethereal composition, the orchestra is divided into three separate orchestras: a full string orchestra, a stand from each section, and a string quartet, in order to imitate the sound of an organ. The Williamsville East Orchestra will also be playing String Quartet No.3 in F by Dmitri Shostakovich, an intense and fast-paced piece that greatly contrasts with Fantasia for immense dramatic affect. When asked about what she thought about playing at the concert, Vikki Kang, a violinist in the East orchestra said, “I’m nervous and I don’t want to disappoint the Miro Quartet. But more importantly, I’m excited and honored to play alongside them. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m glad I get to experience it.” Other orchestra members expressed similar sentiments, and Mr. Moose has been working symphonic hard in order to make them the best they can be for the quartet. Besides being the East Symphonic orchestra’s first concert of the year, being given the opportunity to play with the quartet makes it even more meaningful and anticipated.
