Overview
Bonding over the love of music and playing music is what orchestra is all about. Playing an instrument is not only proven to improve one’s thinking skills and prevent memory loss, but it also allows for the experience of new things and making friends that’ll last a lifetime! Students enjoy the activity of playing in an orchestra, and whether it’s violin, viola, cello, or bass, they’re sure to obtain skills they can take with them forever. This article is a preview for everything that comes along with orchestra, and it highlights all the exciting things that make HHS Orchestra unique!
Festivals
Orchestra Festivals are a way that students get to be part of something more than just participating in their ensembles at school. To be able to go to the Festival, your teacher has to nominate you, and you have to go through a final qualification process. Festival happens on one day every year, and children from Lancaster and Lebanon county come together to perform in ensembles. Festival lasts for eight hours, and at the end of the day, students get to perform their pieces in a concert for their friends and family. This is a great experience for students to show their talents and have an exciting day.
Districts
Districts are like the Orchestra Festival, but instead you must audition to be a part of it. It takes a whole day for students to prepare to perform these pieces that they have worked on for months. Districts consist of the best of the best orchestra performers, and they are one of the most fulfilling experiences a student can get to participate in.
Concerts and Guests
Over the years, Hempfield Orchestra has had the privilege and opportunity to have many guest performers teaching our students new techniques and abstract ways of playing. Some of these guests include Tracy Silverman, Jesus Florido, and the Mari Black Trio. Over the course of 2-3 days, the performers take time with the students during the school day to practice different sets of music, and later they perform it in the Performing Arts Center. The concerts are free to the public and amazing ways to hear new music you may not have heard before. All concerts also have a livestream link on YouTube for friends and family unable to attend in person.
Our Director
Mrs. Nile Wilson is our school’s orchestra director. She teaches orchestra at Centerville Middle School, Landisville Middle School, and Hempfield High School. She was born in the Philippines and was originally a performance major in college, moving to the US in 2001 with an education degree. She continued to study, and started teaching orchestra in Texas in 2005. Mrs. Wilson is an extremely talented artist. When she lived in the Philippines, she was chosen to play in an orchestra for a Brunei Prince, alongside Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Seal. When asked her why she chose teaching, Mrs. Wilson replied:
“I was employed in a full time orchestra, however, I didn’t like it as much. I love playing in my free time, but I would rather teach. When I was younger, I was told I wasn’t good enough to be in an orchestra and actually got kicked out. I want to teach, help, and show kids that they can play no matter their skill and that they can get better. ”
Mrs. Wilson also teaches guitar at the school apart from orchestra and remarked, “If you want to teach properly, you have to understand it.”
And, of course, Mrs. Wilson understands all of the instruments she plays because she is an amazing teacher and orchestra director. She encourages her students to try their best and connects with them so well, making members proud to be a part of something special. Mrs. Wilson also substitutes, or has substituted, for the Lancaster Symphony, Allegro Orchestra of Lancaster, York Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, and has been a regular member of the Mid Texas Symphony.
Why should you join?
Orchestra is an amazing community that is built on the making of beautiful music. It’s a great chance to meet other musicians and expand your abilities in music. Joining an orchestra can improve your knowledge of different techniques for your instrument. The more the merrier when it comes to being apart of this ensemble!
How to support your school orchestra
Supporting your school’s orchestra can be very encouraging for the students and really allows them to play with better confidence. Whether you are attending Festivals, Districts, or even just the concerts, it’s really comforting to performers knowing there are people to support them! The orchestra also sells shirts in children sizes XS up to adult sizes XL, which helps the music department with funding for things like new instruments and concerts. The Tri-M club is also an ensemble club that supports the music department by hosting bake sales, live music events, and more.
Supporting Tri-M not only helps the students, but also the music department! The club hosts multiple seasonal events throughout the year and is another great way to support the orchestra and other ensembles within the school.
