The Arcadia Unified School District is known for its excellent music program and proudly boasts talented musicians all across the district. This month, elementary and high school music students partnered together to perform in a joint concert. This is known as the Side-by-Side program, where students from Orchestra 3 and Band 3 partner up with advanced fourth and fifth grade music students, sitting side-by-side. The experience is truly rewarding for all participants as they celebrate their musical journey.

Orchestra held its Side-by-Side Concert on Saturday, Feb. 3. With only two rehearsals to practice their tunes, participants were well prepared for their concert. During rehearsals, they were able to learn more about each other while high school students also helped the younger ones with techniques. The musicians performed a wide variety of pieces, including Maria Lazareva’s “Katyusha”, a Russian folk song; Elliot A. Del Borgo’s “Fantasia for Strings”; and Jeremy Woolstenhulme’s “Flying Fiddlesticks”, which featured high school members tapping chopsticks to a rhythm on the elementary school kids’ instruments. To allow the fourth and fifth graders to have a taste of high school repertoire and performance expectations, Orchestra 3 also presented two pieces: Diversions: “Movements I and II” by Douglas Lilburn, as well as “Reels and Reverie” by Alan Lee Silva.

A few weeks later, elementary and high school band students performed in their Side-by-Side Concert on Thursday, Feb. 15. The students had three short rehearsals prior to their concert, where they were also placed next to each other and learned to play tunes together. Some of the pieces featured include: “Raiders March” by John Williams, “A Song for Friends” by Larry Daehn, and The Addams Family theme song, arranged by John Lavender. The students were even introduced to our Alma Mater.

To celebrate their achievements, the elementary school students from both orchestra and band programs were also awarded certificates at the end of their concerts. It’s exciting to know that most of these students will eventually be in the AHS music program, playing in the Side-by-Side Concert just like they did when they were younger!

Photo courtesy of AYMA Arcadia