BY PAT FARNELLI
Times-Shamrock Correspondent
Tony Bennici of Montrose Area High School plays his trumpet solo for Carlos Santana’s “Smooth at the PMEA District 9 Orchestra concert.
More than 400 high school students vied for 112 seats in the District Orchestra. The best of each wind instrument were chosen from the District Band pool, and five percussionists were selected.
This streamlining of the concert band personnel makes room for the vast string sections that create the expansive symphonic sound of an orchestra.
Across the front of the stage were 22 first violins, 21 second violins, 14 violas; 14 cellos, and 10 upright basses.
Behind them were the woodwinds, adding a different dimension and timbre. In the back, on risers, were the brass and percussion.
This created the wall of symphonic sound desired by composers, and gives students the thrill of working in a large group of people creating the same piece of music.
Friday, the orchestra opened the program with the thunderous percussion and clear calling brass of Aaron Copeland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” followed by the lively overture and audience-pleaser Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro.”
Next, Samuel Barber’s emotional “Adagio” featured only the strings.
The orchestra then played the fourth movement of Brahm’s First Symphony; and “Summer Dances” written by Brian Balmages, which featured a violin solo by concert master Ian Hipps of North Pocono High School; and a French horn solo by Felicia Quinn of Montrose.
The climax of the concert was Carlos Santana’s “Smooth,” featuring Montrose’s Tony Bennici’s torrid trumpet solo. The Latin jazz orchestra arrangement was a huge success, and the full house responded with a standing ovation and calls for more, which brought on a reprise of the passionate brass-driven arrangement.
Participants included:
Elk Lake: LaAnna Farnelli, French horn.
Montrose: Krista Quinn, clarinet; Tony Bennici, trumpet; Kyra Ricci and Felicia Quinn, French horn.
Mountain View: Keegan Ficarro, bassoon.
Advancing to Regionals: Elk Lake: LaAnna Farnelli, French horn; Montrose: Tony Bennici, trumpet; Felicia Quinn and Kyra Ricci, French horn; and Mountain View: Keegan Ficarro, bassoon.
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