On December 16 the PMHS Orchestra had their first senior family allowed winter concert since 2020, the concert was from seven to eight PM, in the High School auditorium. The PMHS orchestra is conducted and taught by Michelle Zanky, the very devoted orchestra teacher.

The PMHS Orchestra is an outstanding ensemble of talented young musicians of different levels who are very flexible and hard-working. They help each other and have pride in what they accomplish.

Zanky said, “I am fortunate to work with such a wonderful group.”

The pieces the PMHS orchestra opened with Sinfonia Alla Rustica, RV 151 (Presto) by Vivaldi, followed by Invicta by Newbold with a violin solo from Mark Tarazi. Next up came Believer by Imagine Dragons, Libertango by Astor Piazzolla, The Haunted Carousel by Soon Hee Newbold, Beethoven’s Finale (from Symphony #5, Eleanor Rigby by John Lennon and PaulMcCartney, and closed with Fiddle Like the Dickens with an arrangement by Tim McCarrick.

The first chairs were Mark Tarazi in the first violin as Concertmaster, Emily Xu in the second violin as Principal, Naiya Gonzalez-Breen in viola as Principal, Benjamin Levine in violoncello as Principal, and Henry Denner in Bass as Principal.

This was the first live-attended concert since 2020 and their conductor had high hopes for what they had been practicing since the beginning of the year.

Dr. Michelle Zanky, the PMHS conductor discussed some of the demanding factors of the concert stating that, “The Concert will have its challenges with difficult tempos and skill ranges, but I know it will be exceptional.”

The concert was brilliant, with Fiddle Like the Dickens a standout. The PMHS orchestra did an amazing job with its execution.