Langley Orchestra closed out the year with its Music in Color concert on Wednesday, May 28th. The playbill can be found at the following link.
Embracing the vibrant theme, the performance honored the Class of 2025 with a selection of pieces centered around the concept of color. The evening was filled with vivid, expressive music that highlighted the incredible talent of Langley’s musicians.
Concert Orchestra opened the evening with Kirt Mosier’s Blue Rhythmico—the first in a trio of jazz-inspired color pieces, each performed by a different orchestra throughout the night. They followed with Robert Longfield’s Rondo in Blue, Jeffrey Bishop’s energetic Orange Jam, and concluded their set with Henry Mancini’s iconic Pink Panther, featuring a standout solo by sophomore Bennet Huang. Prior to the concert, audience members were welcomed by a special pre-show performance from the Philharmonic Orchestra’s cello choir, which performed Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane, Op. 50—a graceful, warm, and atmospheric piece.
The Symphonic Orchestra then took the stage with the second installment of Mosier’s jazz color series, Red Rhythmico, showcasing impressive solos from sophomore Gemma Shi and freshman Leah Pang. Their performance continued with Sting’s Fields of Gold, Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze, and Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water—with the latter two spotlighting the talent of our electric guitarists, Luke Butler (electric guitar) and Iris Yoon (electric bass).Next, the Philharmonic Orchestra opened powerfully with the third and final piece of Kirt Mosier’s jazz color series, Green Rhythmico, which spotlighted senior instrumentalists through captivating and expressive solos. They continued with Franz von Suppé’s Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna. While the title may initially seem out of place among the concert’s color-themed repertoire, Langley’s conductor, Dr. McCormick, selected the piece to illustrate the changing palette of the day—from the soft amber and misty gray of dawn, to the brilliant cerulean and sunshine yellow of midday, and finally the vivid hues of twilight that evoke the energy of a thrilling night.
The morning section of the composition featured a stunning solo by senior cellist Amiliya Smith, whose performance gracefully captured the serenity of daybreak.
The Philharmonic’s set concluded with a show-stopping performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, an iconic fusion of classical music and jazz that has long stood as a symbol of American musical innovation. The virtuosic piano solo was masterfully performed by junior Luca Gozzi, whose precision, emotion, and flair brought Gershwin’s sweeping rhythms and bold melodies to life. Accompanied by talented volunteers from Langley’s premier band, Luca’s brilliant interpretation of the piece earned him a well-deserved standing ovation, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance.
Finally, the evening came to a heartfelt close as the senior orchestra performed Over the Rainbow while a slideshow of the Class of 2025’s baby and graduation photos played overhead. It was a touching tribute to their journey and a fitting finale to a concert celebrating both color and legacy.
The full concert recording can be found below:
Thank you to photographer Mr. Farid for his amazing concert photos! Above are a few, and the rest can be found in this link
Chloe Lin
