Preview Concert

By: Angela Morgan

On September 25th, our Barabara Ingram band, string orchestra, and guitarists had an amazing performance in the Maryland Theater. This was the first concert of the season, also known as their “Preview Concert”. It was said to be the least expected performance of their progress out of the season because they had only been working on their pieces for five weeks. Despite this acknowledgement, all of the songs were beautifully done by all of these talented students. 

The orchestra and the band both composed three songs, the band included Military Escort by Henry Fillmore, American Riversongs by Pierre Laplante, and the iconic Curtain Call by John Wasson. The orchestra performed Baila Conmigo by Jeremy Woolstenhulme, Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 by Mark Jasinski, and the beautiful piece titled Blue Ridge Run by Alan Lee Silva. As for the guitarists, they played three songs as well, including Pablito by Mark Anthony Cruz, Rapha by Laureny Meneret, and La Lase d’Evere by Thierry Tisserand. The songs each conveyed many emotions while displaying each section of instruments' harmonization, also conveying the importance of each instrument, whether that be the violin, drums, trumpet, guitar or even the harp. The harp is a generally new addition to the String Orchestra this year which is played by Abby Vo, who also plays Violin. This instrument, among all of the others, does an amazing job to bring together the concerts, led by the students, and instructors.

As for instructors, the guitarists were mainly directed by their teacher Keith Filppu. As a last goodbye and last concert, Mr. Filppu will be moving to a different location to continue pursuing his career. He will be missed by many as he has taught many things, and has done a lot for this extraordinary group of students here at BISFA. 

This is just the beginning of all of the amazing performances, and the given preview shows just how much work is put into each instrument by each student, and how much more work will continue.