On May 21, 2026, the University High School Orchestra hosted its annual Spring Orchestra Concert in the theater. The four orchestra levels — String, Concert, Philharmonic and Symphony — each played two pieces to a packed audience. This concert served as a finale to the school year and a culmination of the effort and progress students made. Orchestra instructors Diane Lee and Christine Maneewongwathana worked tirelessly to ensure the concert went smoothly.
The concert featured a diverse repertoire composed of both contemporary and classical pieces. Pieces like Libertango, composed by Astor Piazzolla and played by the String Orchestra, were exciting and lively, while the Finale from Symphony No. 5, Op. 47, by Dimitri Shostakovich—played by the Symphony Orchestra—was heavier and more serious.
“I really enjoyed the pieces that Mrs. Lee and Ms. M. chose,” symphony violinist Haoqi Wang said. “I personally enjoyed Shostakovich because of its intensity and contrasting musicalities.”
However, the final product presented on stage was just the surface of their efforts. Though students practiced during class periods, mastery of the repertoire required countless hours of individual practice. Every orchestra member was accountable for their own progress on each piece before they finally came together at the concert.
“I practiced at home by separating the difficult parts of the piece and playing those until I felt comfortable,” symphony violinist Brandon Shen-Xu said. “The practice was definitely worth it to make sure we sounded good on stage.”
Ultimately, every student contributed to the success of this concert with their musical skills. The orchestra did not just represent the skills of an individual student but also reflected the cooperation required to align their music.
“Playing in a large ensemble brings out more skill and intention from us,” symphony cellist Toby Wei said. “Everyone working together really creates a moment that is so much more than any person could do.”
With the theater packed with an enthusiastic audience, the uproar of support from the UHS community was a powerful reminder of the significance of the music program.
Overall, the Spring Orchestra Concert was a fantastic experience with music that was both entertaining and enjoyable. The progress students had made throughout the year was apparent, and the event was clear proof that the orchestra program will continue to thrive next year.
