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MHS Musings: Spring Concert A Success

MHS Choruses and Orchestras performed to a full house.

The Millburn High School choruses and orchestras, under Rodrigo Vega and Karen Conrad, respectively, have been rehearsing for the Spring Concert since December. Their hard work paid off in a big way last week -- and the concert was well-received by a full house with multiple standing ovations and lots of applause.

The night opened with the Cantica Nova, Millburn's freshman chorus, who rehearse daily with Vega. They started it off with the American folk tune "O Shenandoah," with freshman Jeremy Au on piano. They continued with "A Red Red Rose," with freshman Chris Li on piano. The choir also sang "The Nightinggale," Brahms' "Mainacht" (accompanied by Au), and an upbeat arrangement of the popular "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," on which Li accompanied.

Next was the Millburn Chorale, a select group of sixteen 10th-12th grade singers who spend their Tuesday evenings rehearsing with Vega. The chorale featured a set of four classical pieces (all in different languages), followed by a pop song. "Exsultate Justi" is a Latin church song, "Loch Lomond" is a Scottish folk song, "Si Ch'io Vorrei Morire" is Monteverdi's famous (atonal) Italian madrigal, and "O Schöne Nacht" is a Brahms German piece. Senior Brian Cao accompanied the chorale for "O Schöne Nacht". The chorale closed with "Blues in the Night," featuring junior soprano Chandler Blasini.

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The first act closed with the Chamber Orchestra, a group of select 10th-12th grade string musicians who rehearse weekly with Conrad during the evening. String bassist Austin Gengos performed Dittersdorf's "Concerto in E Major" with the ensemble. The orchestra also played two movements of Holst's "St. Paul's Suite."

The Millburn High School Symphony Orchestra followed the intermission. The orchestra consists of string musicians and select winds and brass of 9th-12th grade that rehearse daily with Conrad. They performed the first five movements of Bizet's "Carmen Suite No. 1."  Senior pianist extraordinaire Brian Cao performed Edvard Grieg's famous "Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16" with the orchestra. Cao received a standing ovation following his performance.

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The Miller Chorus was next to perform. The Miller Chorus, a large ensemble of 10th-12th grade singers, rehearses daily with Vega. They began with "Innisfree," and continued with the sea chant "Just as the Tide was Flowing." They also sang Billy Joel's "And So It Goes," featuring sophomore baritone Chris McHugh and a descant sung by junior soprano Erin Hernon.

The Miller Chorus closed with Katy Perry's chart-topper, "Firework," featuring an opening solo by senior soprano Gabby Miller. Senior percussionist Sam Farid, senior pianist Amanda Chin and senior members of the Chamber Orchestra accompanied the chorus for "Firework."

To close the program, the Miller Chorus joined forces with the Symphonic Orchestra to perform "You'll Never Walk Alone," from the Rogers & Hammerstein musical "Carousel." This symbolic piece was dedicated to the seniors in the music program, so they would know that after they graduate from MHS, they should "hold [their] head up high" and know they will "never walk alone."

Vega and Conrad recognized the graduating seniors during the concert. "Seniors, thanks for making this year so much easier for this freshman," first-year Millburn teacher Vega told them.

The concert also featured many region and all-state musicians. Soprano Victoria Nachevnik, tenors Brian Cao, Ezra Dantowitz, and Anthony Joo, and basses Ezra Dantowitz, Max Sauberman, and Jonny Wang performed in this year's NJSMA All North-Jersey choir in February. Nachevnik, Joo, and baritone Sam Gersho have been accepted into next year's All-State Choir, while Nachevnik and alto Jasia Ries performed in this year's All-State Choir.

Senior cellist Rei Otake represented Millburn with the All-Eastern Orchestra, who performed earlier this year in Baltimore. Violinist Hannah Park, cellist Michelle Lou, and french horn William Krinsman performed in the All-State Orchestra earlier this year as well.

To order a CD recording of this memorable concert, visit this link

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