Orchestra, band performs with out-of-state high school

By Daniella Coe-Mcnamara
Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s orchestra and band held an exchange performance with Glenbard East High School from Lombard, Ill. on April 1 in the Costa cafeteria during second period.

Glenbard East High School came to Costa to practice and perform with Costa’s top band and orchestra ensembles. The two schools came together to learn from each other’s musical styles, exchange performance tactics and join their skill levels together.

“We scheduled this exchange so that the two communities and groups could come together and share its different culture,” orchestra director Peter Park said. “Even though we live in the same country, we both have different cultures.”

The exchange began with a performance from Costa’s full orchestra. Then, band and strings from each school split into separate groups to perform for each other. Costa’s orchestra and band played songs from their festival repertoire, which they performed earlier this year. Some songs included “Suite for Strings” and “March Militaire.” Glenbard East High School also performed for Costa.

“The two schools’ performances were both great learning experience, as they learned from each other’s cultures, but also joined in the communal sense of music,” Park said.

This is the first exchange for the orchestra this year. Costa Wind Ensemble met with Shipensburg University for an exchange concert in March. Two years ago, Costa’s orchestra went to the Bay Area to exchange with Saratoga High School.

“Meeting with different schools is a great experience,” band member senior Matt Yamada said. “We get to learn from each other as well as socialize and get to know the other students. Intermingling with the other schools around the country helps us experience and learn other performance styles and techniques.”