Orchestra students participate in Southwestern College Honor Festival

Back row, from left, Azariyah Warrior, Keirston Oakley, and Isabella Vaden. Middle row, Bryce Burg, Bailey Brandt, Annie Beguin, Nolan Overman, Kianna Jansma. Front row, Angela Pensoneau, Destiny Chambers, Bayleigh Hudgens.

WINFIELD, Kansas — Eleven Ponca City High School Orchestra students participated in the 4th annual Southwestern College Honor Orchestra Festival in Winfield, Kansas.

The orchestra was under the direction of Dr. Amber Peterson, Assistant Professor of Music at Southwestern College. Students spent the day rehearsing in preparation for a final concert held that evening.

The students also attended a presentation on Mozart arias by Dr. Amanda Li, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities and Voice at Southwestern College. Dr. Li’s presentation included information about arias as well as some history behind the arias Mozart composed.

The final concert opened with a performance by the Winfield High School Orchestra. Following their performance, the Honor Orchestra presented the first movement of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Overture in D Major. Next, the orchestra featured Dr. Amanda Li on two arias from Mozart’s Il burbero di buon cuore: “Chi sà, chi sà, qual sia” and “Vado, ma dove? O Dei!”

The concert concluded with String Symphony No. 1 in C Major by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.

“I am glad I got to be a part of the honor orchestra,” said cellist Angela Pensoneau. “Being able to participate in the honor orchestra made us really grateful that our teachers went the extra mile to prepare us for events like this.”

The students travelled to Winfield with Ms. Katie Rolf, assistant orchestra director. Also participating in the Honor Orchestra were high school students from Arkansas City, Derby, El Dorado, Independence, and Winfield.