Langley Orchestra

Langley Orchestra filled three coach buses literally to the brim and traveled up to NYC Thursday, March 9th. Thursday evening students enjoyed a buffet dinner, Times Square group photo, and the panoramic views of the city from the Top of the Rock.

Friday morning students had free time to explore the area in their chaperone groups, and by mid-afternoon headed to Carnegie Hall to prepare for the 8pm performance. Some families may have seen the poster on the 57th Street side announcing the Premier Performance Invitational:

Students looked around in awe at Stern Auditorium as they walked on stage for their soundchecks.

Students enjoyed a Firehouse sub with friends in the Carnegie Hall holding room before the 8:00 pm performance, and after a quick change into formalwear, it was showtime! Concert Orchestra led off the evening, performing Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Sibelius’s Finlandia, and Bizet’s well-known Carmen Suite.

Symphonic Orchestra took the stage next, performing with gusto Paganini’s Variations and five movements of Peer Gynt Highlights.

After a quick stage change, Philharmonic Orchestra performed Wiren’s Serenade for Strings, Vivaldi’s Winter, Meyer’s Elements, and Gardel’s Tango: Por una Cabeza. Junior violinist and concertmistress Audrey Goodner delivered an impassioned solo performance of Winter that led to an immediate standing ovation as she finished her last note.

All Langley Orchestra students then were able to relax while taking in the 93-student strong College Station (Texas) Orchestra performing works by Holst, Vivaldi, Elgar and Bloch.

After the concert, students celebrated at a post-concert reception at the Hard Rock Cafe. Spirits were high and rumor has it that Doc was captured on video dancing at 2 am. Way to go, Doc!

Saturday, students enjoyed touring the Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in their chaperone groups. After a quick NY pizza dinner, they took in the sold-out Hadestown show on Broadway. Sunday, students enjoyed a little free time in the morning before a very fun lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, and then a quick trip on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty before heading home.

Special thanks to our amazing Trip Coordinator Karen DeFilipps who pulled off the largest orchestra trip in the history of Langley Orchestra – at Carnegie Hall no less. Our twenty brave chaperones cannot be thanked enough for their tireless efforts above and beyond on what was a fun-filled but very exhausting trip. Thank you also to Rania Razek and all of the other people who captured so many beautiful photos. (More details to come later via e-mail about photo sharing from the trip.) So many people did so many things to make this trip happen – thank you to each and every one of you.

In addition, senior cellist Michael Dzwonczyk penned an article that was published in the Connection Newspapers today, March 15th (page 6).

CONGRATULATIONS TO DOC AND THE LANGLEY ORCHESTRA!

Congratulations to junior violinist Audrey Goodner, who auditioned amongst hundreds of students Saturday in Harrisonburg for a coveted spot in the 2023 All-VA Orchestra. Audrey will serve as Concertmaster at the All-VA event April 27-29 in Richmond. CONGRATULATIONS Audrey!

Students and families traveling to the orchestra concert at Carnegie Hall on March 10th will be treated to Audrey’s breathtaking solo performance of Vivaldi’s Winter.