Eastlake to host its annual “Evening of Concertos” concert
Eastlake High School’s music department is back with their annual “Evening of Concertos” concert on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Students have been preparing for this concert as early as July of last year. After auditioning for a spot on this year’s program in November, the soloists started rehearsing with the orchestra following winter break.
“My favorite part has definitely been my first rehearsal with the orchestra a few weeks ago and just getting to hear the entire piece come together while I played it,” said Pranav Tripathi, a junior who will be playing a trumpet solo. “I’ve played along with recordings but hearing it live was very different and something I had been looking forward to for months.”
Soloists will be accompanied by members of Eastlake’s Sinfonia and Chamber orchestras as well as Symphonic and Wind Ensemble bands. Rehearsals leading up to the concert occur weekly for up to three hours at a time.
“I don’t have a marimba at home, so I’ve needed to come in before school or during my free period to practice,” said Alon Ragoler, a senior playing the marimba. “I can only get in at most two to three hours [of practice] per week.”
The concert will feature eight soloists: Leyan (Sophia) Gao on the violin, Annika Karthik on the Indian classical violin, also known as the Carnatic violin, Rishabh McIntosh on the trombone, Alon Ragoler on the marimba, Kaylee Ro on the flute, Melanie Thomas and Janani Satish on the piano, Pranav Tripathi on the trumpet, and Seth Zanner on the tuba.
Some of these featured soloists will be playing unique instruments and arrangements.
“It’s not every day you get to hear a tuba concerto or a Carnatic violin concerto. Or a double piano concerto, for that matter,” said Satish, a junior playing a piano duet.
For the soloists, this experience has opened new doors of learning opportunities and musical improvements to prepare for the concert.
“This piece has been a huge learning experience for me, I’ve had the opportunity to really examine my music for details and nuances that I’ve never had an occasion to look for,” Thomas, a junior pianist, said. “I feel like working on it has opened my eyes to a new level of musicality.”
Eastlake’s annual Evening of Concertos will take place on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Eastlake Auditorium. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website.
