'We can get there too': Repertory Orchestra returns to state showcase

For the second time in as many years, the Buffalo High School Repertory Orchestra has achieved the rare feat of emerging from intense regional competition to perform on stage at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

That the group did so under extraordinarily difficult circumstances this spring makes the achievement that much sweeter.

The ensemble was one of only three ninth-grade groups, and 11 groups in all, to earn the two “Superior with Distinction” ratings necessary to advance to the showcase State Middle Level Festival Honor Concert on April 7. A total of 28 schools competed at three regional sites around the state in March.

BHS Orchestra Director Kristine Wiese said that while some schools have managed to make back-to-back appearances at the showcase before, consecutive appearances are unusual. 

“It is noteworthy,” she said. “I know many of my friends who don’t teach in the metro don’t even enter regionals because there is such competition to make it once, let alone twice.”

To get there took some last-minute improvisation, as well as wholehearted commitment from the musicians.

“We were all in,” said violinist Emma Weiland. “It was cool to see how dedicated everyone was. Everyone wanted it to be perfect.”

Improvising
That drive for perfection was nearly derailed just one week before the regional competition in Minnetonka when Wiese learned that the ensemble’s only cello player would not be able to attend the performance. The diminutive orchestra, featuring just three violas, one cello and one bass, in addition to violins, was suddenly missing one of its key components.

“We’ve gotten this far. The kids have worked so hard. What do I do?” Wiese thought.

What she did was write the most important sections of cello music into the viola parts. Just days before the competition, students suddenly had new parts to learn, and the group had to use trial and error to balance out a new sound.

“We had to practice it over and over again because it was so very different,” said Wiese. “We did have some intense rehearsals.”

The effort paid off. When Buffalo’s 20-member group – preceded and followed by 50- and 70-member competitors – took the stage sans one of its most important instruments, there was an audible stir among those watching. In her judges’ notes, Wiese explained the circumstances.

“We weren’t playing what was in the score, so I wanted to make sure the kids weren’t penalized for that,” she said.

A standout performance followed.

“They rose to the occasion in the most amazing way,” said Wiese.

“Our goal was to play together and feel the rhythm, feel the music as a group instead of as individuals,” said violinist Sally Huerta. “It was surprising because we were the smallest group, but we made it to Orchestra Hall.”

Last year’s shadow
Wiese said she was careful not to place undue pressure on this year’s ensemble by emphasizing last year’s success – the first time BHS had made it to the state-level showcase. But students were self-motivated to repeat the feat.

“It was our goal,” said Huerta.

“I don’t know about the other kids, but I had a few friends in last year’s orchestra so I heard how it was for them and I was like, ‘I want to do that,’” said violinist Eloise Kohls. “There is a display about it in Ms. Wiese’s room. Looking at that every day, it was like, ‘We can do this. We can get there too.’”

State experience
On April 7, the ensemble traveled to Minneapolis for sectional rehearsals with professional members of the Minnesota Orchestra, followed by the showcase concert.

“Orchestra Hall was insane,” said Weiland. “You look at the photos and think it looks really cool, but when you’re actually there and you see the cubes coming out of the wall, it almost feels magical.”

One student who wasn’t overawed was bass player Lilyrosa Carlson. The all-around musical standout is a member of the Minnesota Youth Symphony and was taking the stage for the fourth time.

“But this time it was really special because I was with the people I see every day at school,” she said. “They’re there in my life. Some of them won’t perform there again, so that was a really special experience.”

Since the Repertory Orchestra wasn’t scheduled to play until the end of the concert, Huerta had time to immerse herself in the experience as an audience member before performing herself.

“I just concentrated on the music. It was very beautiful,” she said. “Some pieces were very aggressive and strong, some were soft, like a wonderland feel. I really loved it there. I felt like I belonged there, because I love music. I felt like this was where I was supposed to be.”

Noticing that they were again the smallest ensemble by far, several students began to feel butterflies as their own time approached.

“I was very nervous for the performance. But when I got onstage I didn’t feel nervous at all. I was just playing this song one more time,” said Huerta. “I don’t know what happened, but (the nerves) just went away.”

Kohls felt the same way. 

“I know our orchestra earned our way up there and I was really proud of everyone, especially since we were such a small group. But as I was listening to other groups, people with so much funding and private lessons, I did get a little bit intimidated,” she said. “But as soon as we got onstage and played that first note, it felt like, ‘Oh yeah, this is right.’”

Cohesion and confidence
In a way, the group’s size had already prepared them for a moment of this magnitude.

“When you’re a small group you can’t blend into as many people,” said Wiese. “There is a lot of personal responsibility. And there was a lot of bonding that happened during this process, because we were all held accountable for different things. The kids in this group walk in and have full control of what they’re doing. They have more confidence as a group than I’ve seen for a long time. Because of their size, there really was amazing growth in their self-confidence.”

Having now played on the highest profile orchestra stage in the state, several students said that collective confidence will only increase going forward when they play at their own Performing Arts Center in front of hometown audiences.

“I just feel really thankful that I got to go do this. I don’t know what I expected, but it was better than I expected,” said Weiland. “I wouldn’t have been able to go by myself without these people. They affect everything. We’re a team, and we have been since we all started.”

Now with two consecutive appearances at the state showcase, the BHS Repertory Orchestra is building a name for itself. As one of the regional judges told Wiese in March, “It’s so cool to see what is happening in Buffalo.”