Orchestra to broadcast winter concert livestream

The Chamber Orchestra will host its winter concert via livestream Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

The orchestra’s virtual concert follows the HS choir’s Dec. 4 cabaret, performed in a similar fashion. After COVID-19 restrictions barred any in-person showcase, both have moved online to share musical pieces from the first semester.

The program for the concert includes Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto in G,” William Hofeldt’s “She Will Hang the Night with Stars” (Oscar Wilde, in memoriam) and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsavov’s “Scheherazade,” as well as other pieces form smaller ensembles. Performing Arts Teacher Lorraine Davis said members of the orchestra will introduce and provide backstories for each piece.

Davis said recording the concert required support from School Center Manager Mark Chapin, Senior Media Technician Joe Harris and Media Services Technician James Hyde, who she said have been “so generous with their time.” 

However, Davis said the winter concert is not the only performance the orchestra has done so far this year. In November, members of the orchestra recorded a virtual holiday card for senior citizens, in which they played “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

At the beginning of the year, the orchestra was the only musical ensemble allowed to practice regularly under COVID-19 restrictions. But, Davis said they still were not allowed to fill the student center with an audience for an in-person concert.

Davis said she recognizes the livestream experience will not be the same for both the musicians or the viewers as the virtual setting cannot replicate the concert hall. However, she said this is why the concert is advertised as a “launch;” the orchestra hopes viewers gather friends and family to watch with no distractions in order to recreate as much of the concert atmosphere as possible.

You can view the concert through this link. (Note: access to the page may require an ASL login.)

Camp College offers Grade 12 students chance to finalize applications

The Office of Student Advising is hosting a virtual Camp College from 2 to 4 p.m. from Dec. 15 to 16. Usually Camp College is held in-person, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it will be held on Zoom. 

The aim of Camp College is for Grade 12 students to complete their applications and essays before the Jan. 1 regular decision deadline and to check in with their advisors. 

University Advisor Joanna Shearer said Camp College should act as a way for advisors to be updated on where students are in the process and ensure that the applications are ready by the deadline. 

“We will be setting time aside to catch up with every single person and make sure that they’re doing sort of what they should to submit by the 18th,” she said. 

In addition, Shearer said Camp College can be used to celebrate getting into a school early decision or discuss future plans for regular decision applications that are January 1. 

“It’s for us to make plans to either sort of congratulate students for achieving an ED or updating us on their UCAS applications or other countries,” she said.