The JP Stevens Orchestra Program held its annual fall concert on October 12, hosted by Orchestra Directors Dr. Verdi and Mr. Lee. Featuring the Concert, Camerata, and Chamber Orchestras, performers from all grades showcased a variety of musical pieces inspired by the unique Italian culture. Several students from the JPS Chamber Orchestra also performed in small ensembles, showcasing their passion towards music outside of class. After a month of hardwork and dedication, these students put together a stunning performance for parents, students, and staff. 

At the start of the program, the Concert Orchestra performed “La Donna É Mobile,” composed by G. Verdi, arranged by Jamin Hoffman. The piece is one of the most famous and recognizable tenor arias in the opera world, capturing a lively and upbeat tempo. It was displayed as a masterful orchestral piece and applauded by many. 

In the spotlight for the next performance were senior cellist Ashvin Satwani and senior bassist Avi Patel as part of the small ensemble Avinash. The performers presented the piece “Duetto for Cello and Bass, Movement 3,” a composition by G. Rossini. This performance allowed the audience to witness the immense and underrepresented potential of the lower-string instruments.

“Avi and I hope that we can inspire other low string players to get out there and be proud of what they play,” said senior Ashvin Satwani, the Orchestra Council President. “We’re looking forward to continuing our duets even after graduation.”

After these ensembles finished, the Camerata Orchestra moved onto the stage to play their program under the direction of Mr. Lee. The first piece, “Intermezzo,” composed by P. Mascagni, arranged by Carl Simpson, featured a freshman violin soloist, Neha Thota. The orchestra ended their performance with a second piece called “Con Te Partiro,” composed by F. Sartori, L. Quarantotto, and F. Peterson, arranged by Ted Ricketts. 

“I am so proud of the students’ performance and how far they have come in the past few months. What a great way to jumpstart the year,” said Mr. Lee.

After the melodious performance, the ensemble Heal4Music, featuring junior violinist Olive Wang, senior violinist Spandan Chandra, senior pianist Vidyut Rajagopal, senior cellist Andrew Ikemoto, and senior bassist Avi Patel, performed 2 nostalgic Bollywood songs: “Tum Hi Ho,” originally sung by A. Singh and “Main Agar Kahoon,” originally sung by S. Nigam. The Heal4Music ensemble’s rendition of the Bollywood classics resonated with the audience, evoking a deep sense of cultural appreciation. 

Next, the Four Seasons Quartet, featuring juniors Phoebe Tan, Alissa Ye, Chloe Chan, and Roman Sadowski, performed “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” composed by the famous J. Brahms, arranged by Matt Naughtin. The musicians were able to capture the spirit of traditional Hungarian folk music, creating the perfect transition into the last performance of the night.

The Chamber Orchestra performed three melodious pieces featuring a variety of techniques such as dynamics, rhythm, and expression. The first piece was the delicate and harmonious “Gabriel’s Oboe” by E. Morricone, arranged by Robert Longfield, featuring senior violin soloist Olive Wang, followed by “O mio babbino caro” by G. Puccini, arranged by Cliff Colnot, featuring senior violin soloist Olive Wang and senior cello soloist Julius Wang. To wrap up the concert, the Chamber Orchestra performed “Nessun Dorma” by G. Puccini, arranged by Cliff Colnot with senior violin soloist Olive Wang and senior cello soloist Andrew Ikemoto. This piece was originally performed in the famous opera Turandot and was an amazing final performance for the JPS Orchestra program. 

“So much great music was composed in Italy and what a great way to celebrate the culture and the beautiful music that is appreciated and cherished even today,” said Dr. Verdi. “I am looking forward to our Holiday Concert on December 14th.”

The 2023 Fall Concert was a huge success, and students can rest assured that their months of hard work and dedication was clearly reflected in the performance. The night left the musicians with a rewarding experience and the audience in awe of what the upcoming Holiday Concert will bring.