On November 8 and 9, 2024, seniors Pierson Lee and Felicity Banner participated in the North Central Senior Regional Orchestra (NCSRO), an audition based orchestra comprised of the top musicians from the region. The two-day event consisted of a rehearsal on day one, followed by a concert the next day.
The audition process was made up of three components: excerpts from a prepared piece, scales, and sightreading. Seniors spent weeks preparing and perfecting their skills for this audition. Those accepted into the program highlighted its many benefits.
“It was a fantastic experience. I got to meet so many talented musicians from across the region and play pieces I’d never encountered before,” Lee said. “Everyone in the orchestra was so passionate and dedicated, which made the experience even more enriching and exciting.”
Orchestra and Guitar teacher Matt Trkula emphasizes the skills necessary for NCSRO, and highlights how Banner and Lee both exhibit these qualities.
“They are always an example with their ability to play everything we work on, their demeanor in rehearsal, and their attitude towards music and teamwork,” Trkula said.
Banner and Lee both play violin, having harnessed the ability to play even the most difficult pieces through relentless practicing over many years.
Banner, herself, was just six years old when she picked up the instrument.
“I talked to my mother and she said that something resonated with me about it and that I just liked it,” Banner said.
Lee, on the other hand, recalled that initially, he chose to play the violin after being influenced by his friends, who also took a similar interest in the instrument; however, he did not like it.
“Everything was really squeaky and hard to get the right intonation,” Lee said. “But over time, I fell in love with the instrument, its tone and sound.”
The rewarding feeling of taking a challenging piece, practicing it, and then playing it and making it sound good is also something that Lee admires about the instrument.
With music taking up a significant portion of their lives, the seniors highlight its importance in their day-to-day routines.
“My life is built around it,” Banner said. “Everything I do works around my lessons, performances, rehearsals, gigs, and studios. Everything revolves around music.”
Lee focuses on the relaxation playing music brings him.
“It has a way of centering me,” Lee said. “It’s also been a way to express myself, connect with others, and find moments of joy in my everyday life.”
As she continues her music career, Banner recalls the impact music has had on her life and others around her: “Music helps kids grow. It’s a great discipline.”
Lee encourages those interested to pick up an instrument, create music, and to come together as a community and make something positive out of it.
“People say music is a universal language and that it brings everyone together, and personally, I find that to be true,” Lee said.
Trkula also shares the importance of the arts: “Art makes life beautiful. Art makes buildings, movies, the songs we love, the books we read. It is all art. Some of the greatest achievements of humankind have been in the arts.”
An avid musician himself, Trkula spotlights the essence of music and the arts and their important role in shaping society and everyday life.
“Art is essential to our existence and our culture, and without it, we have nothing,” Trkula said.
