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Orchestra Showcase

Max Kabjian • October 26, 2023

Band Teacher Mr. Bryson conducts the full Boulder High Orchestra as they play “The Phantom of Opera” perhaps the most famous song in musical theatre.

From loud, booming drums to delicate strings, the 2023 Music Department showcase was a diverse representation of BHS’s most talented student musicians. This yearly event serves to introduce new Boulder High students and families to our school’s expansive Music Department. The Drumline began the performance with an intense piece of percussion that reverberated from the balcony of the auditorium. Chamber Orchestra followed with a rendition of “Danzas de Panamá ” by acclaimed American composer William Grant Still. The plucking of violins and bellowing cellos of the piece echoed through the auditorium. Next, the Boulder High Concert Band took the stage to perform “Spitfire” by William Owens, a highlight of the concert. The heavy, growling horns and forceful drums of the composition very much mirrored the aggressive World War 2 fighter plane that is the piece’s namesake.

The concert moved out into the courtyard after Orchestra One’s performance of “Air in D minor”, a baroque classic. This transition was intended to “keep you awake” according to band teacher Mr. Bryson. The change in scenery certainly broke up the monotony of waiting between performances and introduced some sunlight, adding a more casual and lighthearted atmosphere to the showcase. With instruments arranged in the center of the courtyard, choir and jazz band performed. Some high points from this outdoor segment was the High Altitude Choir’s take on The Beatles classic “Blackbird” and Jazz Combo’s rendition of the jazz standard “Blue in Green ” by the legendary Miles Davis.

The grand finale of the performance was “Phantom of the Opera ” performed by the whole orchestra. With the totality of Boulder High’s most talented musicians coming together to play the theatrical masterpiece, the resonance of the piece was certainly felt by all in attendance. The Music Department Showcase was a thoroughly enjoyable event that demonstrated the breadth of Boulder High’s musical prowess. With a diverse array of composers represented, and a creative approach to audience engagement, this is an event worth attending in the coming years. And If an outstanding display of musical talent isn’t enough for you, a sweet cow truck waiting to satisfy hungry concert goers, the showcase was an unequivocal joy.

About the Contributor

Max Kabjian, Editorial Editor

Max Kabjian is a senior at Boulder High School and an Editorial Editor for The Owl. In the classroom, he loves history, economics, and writing and is an active participant in a number of clubs such as FBLA, ethics bowl, and debate. When not drowning in hours of homework, Max enjoys going to the gym and then instantly regaining those burnt calories in the kitchen. He also enjoys writing, (largely non-fiction and poetry) as a means of escape from the stresses of the day. This is his first year in Newspaper, though he’s been voicing his opinions, often rather loudly, for years. Max’s topical interests span vastly, from global politics and law, to the arbitrary and silly; there is little that he won’t try to make sense of. His favorite food is an absolute tie between pasta and sushi, but he will accept either as a token of admiration. Max is often described as a very spirited elderly man by his friends, as his afternoons often consist of “old people music” and chess. Though he is Italian, and thus loves red wine (the main ingredient in the beverage being red grapes), there is nothing quite like a firm, green grape.