The Franklin Varsity Orchestra will perform at the El Paso Chihuauas game on at 6:30 on Friday, Sept. 13.
Students sold tickets to the performance to raise funds for the group.
Orchestra director Dr. Ross Ipsen-Sanchez created this event to help get the kids prepared for professional events and getting used to play for gigs.
“This music helps us on intonation, shifting, reading clefs, it’s all intertwined. At the beginning of the year, it’s good to start with this type of performance,” Ipsen said. “These types of events helps to give students a sense of purpose, it makes them a part of the orchestra, and not just a individual participant. It’s different from our other types of concerts because it’s in a large stadium and isn’t our usual target audience.”
First-chair second violin senior Anitzia “CJ” Santos, is a member of both the varsity orchestra and mariachi. Santos feels ready for the Friday performance.
“This isn’t my first rodeo because I’ve performed this music of music for mariachi. However, I’m excited to play it with a different group of peers, it’s always an honor to play the Star-Spangled Banner for any event. Hopefully the audience gets excited listening to classical music, it’s a very underrated genre.”
The students try to do as many as gigs offered, as the genres played can range from dramatic to somber. An important opportunity for orchestras is to be featured and adjust to bigger platforms,” Santos said.
Second-chair viola, senior Allegra Chauvet, enjoys the opportunities that these performances provide to her peers.
“I’m used to this, but still excited to play, as it helps newer students in varsity learn and adjust to different environments,” Chauvet said.
The two-month process has taken time to organize and put together. The students from both varsity and chamber come together for multiple rehearsals and run-throughs to act like professionals.
Orchestra president and first-chair cello, senior Jonathan Sprowles feels that connection is extremely important for an orchestra.
“I want the audience to see how hard we worked and to love and enjoy the music that we play,” Sprowles said.
