Orchestra will hold its annual midwinter and pre-UIL concert March 3 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. All three orchestras will be present and playing different programs with unique themes. 

“The concert orchestra, which is mostly ninth graders, will be [performing pieces based on] the Civil War,” orchestra director Matthew Cautivar said. “The symphonic orchestra will be performing a program of sailor and sea songs, and the chamber orchestra will be performing fugue songs.”

Cautivar said this concert gives the orchestra a chance to practice performing their UIL music before they perform it later for judges March 10. 

“[The] UIL [performance] typically isn’t very well attended because it’s during the school day,” Cautivar said. “It’s nice to share [our UIL music] with a larger audience through this concert and for the students to showcase their hard work to their families and friends.” 

Since more than half of the orchestra was virtual last year and participation in concerts was optional, Cautivar said he is glad it will be different this year. 

“It was a lot smaller last year due to COVID-19,” Cautivar said. “I think it will be really nice to have everyone participate in the concert this year.” 

Senior Trisha Bhujle, a violin player in the chamber orchestra, said she is excited for the upcoming concert because of all of the extra work the orchestra has put in. 

“In terms of learning the music, we have definitely had a couple of obstacles,” Bhujle said. “With all of the recent school cancellations, people having COVID-19 and Mr. Cautivar being absent because of all-state, we have lost a lot of sectionals and rehearsals. [As a result, we] have had to adjust and work extra hard in class to get everything done.”