Winter concert series continues with WVHS orchestra program (GALLERY)

The 2025 Winter Concert Series continued on Tuesday evening with the Warwick Valley High School Orchestra program presenting its annual Sounds of Winter concert in the high school auditorium!

Use this link to view/download the concert prorgram.

The concert featured performances by the WVHS Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and combined orchestras under the direction of Elissa Maynard, along with her student teacher, Olivia Charleston. The evening celebrated the depth of Warwick Valley’s string program while highlighting student musicians across grade levels, with special recognition given to graduating seniors.

The program opened with a Senior Feature performance by cellist Jakob Yon, who performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Sonata in E Minor, Op. 14 No. 5, accompanied by Jim Quinlan on the piano.

The WVHS Symphony Orchestra followed with three pieces. Their first was Rite of Spring by Stravinsky (arr. Gruselle). The piece was conducted by Ms. Charleston and featured a cello solo by Juely Duran. They followed that with the song Boreas (Parrish), featuring violin soloist Grace Stough, and then wrapped up their segment of the evening with Trepak (arr. Dackow).

The next Senior Feature spotlighted violist Jake Tannar, who performed Group 1, No. 1 Prelude by Vaughan Williams, with piano accompaniment by Jim Quinlan. 

The Chamber Orchestra then took the stage, performing Passacaglia (arr. Frost), conducted by Ms. Charleston, and followed that with Arirang (arr. Han), featuring violin soloists Cavan Byrne, Arielle Seid and Grace Cornelius. The ensemble continued with Elementa by Soon Hee Newbold, showcasing cello soloist Jakob Yon and viola soloist Victoria Martinez.

Senior violinist and Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Grace Cornelius also performed a Senior Feature -- Preludium & Allegro (Kreisler), accompanied on piano by Jim Quinlan.

The evening concluded with the combined orchestras performing Hanukkah Habanera (arr. McCarrick) and Sleigh Ride (arr. Caputo). The finale featured percussionist Jude Gawronski on drums and percussion, with slap stick parts performed by Andy Chen and Tristan Sasse.

The WVCSD Winter Concert Series concludes on Wednesday, December 17, with the WVHS Winter Chorus Concert.