The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Orchestra program visited Boston on a three-day trip from April 4-6.
The students, consisting of members of the Ninth Orchestra (BR9O), the Concert Orchestra (BRCO) and the Symphony Orchestra (BRSO), attended the trip following an extensive itinerary of amusing and impactful experiences.
The students left on the morning of April 4, going through a security check to ensure that what everyone brought with them on the trip aligned with school policies. After doing so, the students promptly left at around 7:30 a.m., the buses buzzing with excitement. As a whole, the weekend would focus on conducting clinics alongside the University of Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, visiting the sights of Boston and enjoying a day at Six Flags New England.
When the students first arrived to the UMass campus in Amherst, the Ninth Orchestra took the stage with a clinic under Mr. Hidalgo Ardila, who is the conductor for the UMass Symphony Orchestra. During this clinic session, Bridgewater-Raritan High School students in BRCO and BRSO were on a campus tour, guided by a member of the UMass admissions faculty. The groups then switched roles: BR9O went on the tour while the second clinic session began.
After both clinics with BR9O and BRCO, the Bridgewater-Raritan Symphony Orchestra joined the UMass Symphony Orchestra in a joint rehearsal session. They played “Danzon No. 2” by Arturo Marquez, a piece BRSO had performed at the Festival of the Arts. Together, students were able to immerse themselves in a professional, elevated experience playing alongside advanced musicians.
Once the rehearsal had ended, Bridgewater-Raritan’s musicians visited UMass’s dining hall for dinner. Afterwards, the students packed the buses on their way to the hotel they would be staying at for the entire trip.
The second day, April 5, rolled around with students leaving the hotel at around 7:30 a.m. The first stop was the Boston Common, one of the most historical commongrounds in the country. Students were then directed through guided tour groups, learning more about the monuments and history riddled through the city of Boston.
The ensembles then traveled to the Quincy Market, a popular spot for restaurants, shops and other attractions. After an ample amount of time for lunch, the musicians departed for the New England Aquarium, where they were given the chance to walk past all of the exhibits full of various marine life.
At around 5 p.m., the students were driven by bus to a local mall for a brief rest stop. After the stop, the next destination was the Boston Symphony Hall, where the Boston Symphony Orchestra would be performing a number of pieces.
The concert commenced promptly at 8 p.m., full of vivid displays of musicianship and musical storytelling. After a brief intermission, the second half of the concert highlighted an Elgar violin concerto played by famous violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann. With the program concluding at 10 p.m., the students headed back to their hotels.
The final day of the trip, April 6, was reserved for the most fun: students traveled to Six Flags New England for several hours at the amusement park. The students arrived at the park at around 11 a.m. and got the chance to go on several ride. In the aftermath of an action-packed and amusing final day, the students boarded the buses and departed for home. Before the students knew it, their trip had come to a close as they were dropped off back at Bridgewater-Raritan High School at around 9 p.m.
Mrs. Hsiao-Yu Lin Griggs, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Orchestra Director and the primary chaperone for the trip, spoke on her experience.
“Despite the cold and rainy days, the orchestra students never let the dreary weather dampen their spirits! From our performance at the University of Massachusetts and the concert at the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the Six Flags New England experience, the BRHS students exhibited their amazing musical talents and great discipline throughout the weekend. This was a great trip and I hope the students truly enjoyed themselves,” she said.
Sophomore Corbin Jimenez addressed the highlight of his trip.
“My favorite part of the trip was definitely when we went to six flags on the last day. It was a great way to wrap up the trip and spend time with friends,” he said.
Next up on the orchestra’s schedule is the high school’s Spring Orchestra Concert, which will be in the auditorium on the evening of May 20.
