On March 5, 104 Oyster River High School (ORHS) orchestra, band, and chorus students departed for an exciting five-day adventure to Florida to perform in a concert at Orlando’s Universal Studios.
The concert, held on Friday, March 6, at Universal CityWalk, included a program for each group of musicians.
Orchestra went first at noon and played Bach (Brandenburg Concerto No. 4), Nishimura (Ripples), and Mollo/Powell (How to Train Your Dragon).
The band's performance followed closely at 1:00 p.m. with the work of Birch (Blue Goose Rag), Ticheli (Cajun Folk Songs), and Higgins (Pueblo).
The Jazz Band started its performance at 2:00 p.m. and delighted the audience with the work of Moten (Swing), Mercer/Kosma (Autumn Leaves), Edison/Hendrick (Centerpiece), and Goodwin (Count Bubba’s Revenge).
At 3:00 p.m., the chorus concluded the concert. Ms. Olberg and students entertained the crowd with songs from Maggie Rogers (Alaska), Barton/Corook (If I Were a Fish), Spring Awakening (Mama Who Bore Me), Harriet (Stand Up), and P!nk (What About Us).
CityWalk, located at Universal Studios, is a dynamic hub filled with dining and entertainment options for visitors. Public concerts can attract a large crowd and typically showcase a wide range of talent, from school groups to other types of acts.
After the concert, and for the following two days, students engaged in the exciting discovery of Universal’s famous attraction parks.
The exciting performances were the result of careful and thorough planning by ORCSD’s Music Department. The application process required video submissions of prior performances, and a selection committee assessed the groups’ ability to represent the organization musically.
Because of the risks and challenges associated with flying instruments, the Music Department had explored the possibility of students renting instruments at destination. In a remarkable turn of events (and several fundraisers), the group was able to transport the students’ own instruments to Florida.
The Music Department thanks the Oyster River Music Association (ORMA) for its generous donation to help cover the costs associated with the rental of a truck to bring instruments for the concert.
Trips like these could not occur without the help and support of our community. Thank you to our chaperones and families for all of their help and support. Thank you to the district and administration for their assistance and guidance. And a final thank you to our four directors, Mr. Boulay, Mr. LaForce, Ms. Olberg, and Ms. von Oeyen, who made this happen.
ORHS music students entertain Universal CityWalk visitors during their concert.