The Chamber Orchestra is famous for doing fun, lively music and events.
By Junior Geena Elghossain, Viking Vibe Staff
The Chamber Orchestra is famous for doing fun, lively music and events.
This year, they are bringing it to a whole new level.
The group is participating in more than half a dozen events, concerts, and competitions all over the region. This season is full of performances for all of the students and will be featuring many compositions.
For the spring, they will be playing the fourth movement of Serenade for String Orchestra by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a classical piece from 1880.
Their performances will also feature Brian Balmages’ orchestral rock piece, “Lyric Metal.”
”These events are excellent performance opportunities outside of South Brunswick. We’re able to perform at some of the nicest concert halls in the world,” said Dr. Arvin Gopal, the conductor of the Chamber Orchestra.
In fact, they peformed on Saturday March 8 at the Lincoln Center in New York City at the National School Orchestra Championships.
This is a prestigious competition that only 15-20 high schools in the nation attend by invite.
”I like competing because we get ranked against other schools, and we push to get better after every competition,” said Vedanta Dhobley, a sophomore member of the Chamber Orchestra.
The Orchestra also participated in numerous other events this season, including a concert performing with The College of New Jersey; the New Jersey Music Educator’s Association concert in East Brunswick on February 21; the District String Festival on Feb. 27; the Verizon Hall Kimmel Center on March 2 in Philadelphia; and the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra Festival on March 1.
”The trips we’ve gone on have brought us closer as friends and an orchestra, which helps us to perform better and has contributed to our improvement,” said junior Camille Delacruz, a member of the Chamber Orchestra, “(Concerts) really show how far we’ve come as an orchestra. I feel that our performances have improved since I was a freshman, and I think this is also because of Dr.Gopal. He really teaches us to listen to everyone and not just your section.”
Students learn how to do well under pressure as well as handle all types of situations and perform in front of large crowds of people. According to Dr.Gopal, there is an added excitement to competing against other schools, and it is an excellent learning experience to listen to and talk with schools from all around the country.
”I’m pleased with how the orchestra is growing in size and quality. It’s nice how more people are getting involved and it’s great to create the orchestra here,” said Dr.Gopal.
While the orchestra may travel far and wide, they also have their Spring Concert coming soon which will take place in the high school auditorium. If interested, the music department encourages all family and friends to attend.

