Pebblebrook High School's senior orchestra gave a final performance of the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, May 4. Since Pebblebrook's new auditorium is still in the process of being built, the event was held at South Cobb High School's brand-new auditorium.
It was a great evening that allowed music and socially distanced spectators to fill the new space while also giving returning Pebblebrook students a preview of the building that awaits them. Ed-SPLOST funds made both of these spaces possible, so it seemed only right to welcome the public to this concert via live streaming online.
It had been over a year since the orchestra last performed together in March of 2020 at Large Group Performance Evaluation. At the Evaluation, the Chamber Orchestra earned Superior Ratings in both performance and sightreading. Knowing that it would be the last time these seniors would get to play together, Pebblebrook's Orchestra Director Nivek Anderson did everything she could to make the night special.
"It was important for me as their orchestra director that I try my best to have a socially distant Spring Concert in line with CCSD Fine Arts recommendations for all students, but especially the seniors," said Ms. Anderson. "It's a very significant evening for them."
The orchestra's motto is "Creating the Sound of Excellence," which they did on six carefully selected songs. Ranging from 18th and 19th-century composers such as George Fredric Handel and Gabriel Fauré to modern composers like Mike Kamuf, the evening also included a modern "mashup" arrangement of Mozart interacting with Siri (yes, that Siri) on a song with the descriptive title of "GPS."
"I am so incredibly proud of the spirit, energy, and musical excellence that was shown on stage last night," said Director Anderson emotionally. "Major thanks to the administration and fine arts team at South Cobb for allowing us to use their beautiful performance facilities as Pebblebrook’s theater is under construction. I would also like to thank our principal, Dr. G [Dr. Dana Giles], and Mr. Randall Schlanger, our Fine Arts Administrator, and all administrators at Pebblebrook High School for their support of the Pebblebrook Orchestra program."
The Orchestra will perform two more times this spring, featuring the Sinfonia and Philharmonia Orchestras. These live streams will also be available for anyone to enjoy. On Thursday, May 6, the performance can be found here, while the final performance on Tuesday, May 11 can be seen here. Both will be at 7 PM.
