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NPHS orchestra strings melodies and emotion together
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When one googles “the best composers of all time,” many people will pop up, including the likes of Beethoven, Debussy and Bach. The iconic pieces these composers are known for are complex and emotional, but one may not realize their many nuances. For a single musician in the orchestra, it takes lots of time,…
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Student Musician Showcase wows the audience
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On March 2, the second annual student musician showcase took place in the NPHS Performing Arts Center. Made up of Tri-M Music Honor Society students, IB Music students and student musicians across campus, this showcase donated $600 of their profits to the Harmony Project, which is a nonprofit, music education organization that provides free…
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Winter concerts Light up the season
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Band On Dec. 2, the NPHS gym held the anticipated return of the band department’s lively winter concert. The production featured the school’s wind ensemble and jazz band, who played a selection of both traditional and seasonal songs. For students, this was their first concert in nearly two years, bringing a mix of stress…
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Music guides Kate Arnold through life
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Just about everyone enjoys listening to music, but few are capable of making it. For senior Kate Arnold, music has made up her life since she was a kindergartener. Almost 13 years later, her love and passion for music has never faded. Arnold started playing the piano until her middle school orchestra teacher led…
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Orchestra spreads holiday spirit virtually
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With COVID restrictions, the NPHS orchestra has had to make the switch to online learning and for their winter concert, they were 100 percent virtual. Students had to take videos of themselves playing their instruments and edit them to match the rest of their group, in order to create a seamless concert as if…
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Orchestra students represent NPHS at Southern California CODA Competition
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Last weekend, NPHS orchestra students took over Santa Monica High School on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 to audition for a chance to be in the Southern California Honor orchestra. The competition was organized under California Orchestra Directors Association, otherwise known as CODA. High school orchestra students from all over Southern California came to…
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From Newbury Park to Manhattan: orchestra sends two students to take on Carnegie Hall
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Carnegie Hall in New York City first opened in 1891 for the famous composer Tchaikovsky’s American debut. Now, cellist Danny Murphy, junior, and violinist Ashley Rosato, senior, have been invited to play at the prestigious venue as part of an Honors Performance Series. “I’m really proud of them for being accepted. It validates all…
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A Philharmonic Success: Student performs concert over summer
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“It really felt good when people said you did a good job,” Akash Velu, junior, said, “because you felt like all your work actually paid off.” Velu performed Mozart’s piano concerto in D minor with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic on July 17 and 19. A union of orchestra and soloist, the concerts were comprised…
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An A+ for Orchestra
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At the beginning of 2013, Orchestra had a mere nine members. In the past two years, it has won numerous awards, is nationally recognized, and has over 40 enrolled members at various skill levels. Tina Huang, Orchestra teacher, is very proud of Orchestra for its hard work and many awards. “This year we participated in…
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Strings classes dazzle at first concert of the year
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The Chamber ensemble performed for the first time alongside the concert strings and strings classes at the Winter Concert in the Performing Arts Center on Dec.4. The strings orchestra played five pieces and the smaller, advanced chamber and concert strings groups played pieces by Ravel and Vivaldi separately. The concert also featured the Sycamore…