Two Students, One Orchestra—And a Whole Lot of Practice!

by Clare

Congratulations to two of my students who performed with the Valley Symphony Orchestra—and what a joyful night it was!

They actually auditioned back in November, so it’s been a long journey of preparation. Congratulations to both of them for making it through the audition and earning this special opportunity to play with a full orchestra on a real concert stage!

As you can imagine, getting ready for this kind of performance means playing the same piece—over and over and over. It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary. And honestly? It’s also a quiet kind of learning: patience, focus, and trust in the process.

Both students worked incredibly hard throughout the months. And it wasn’t easy—especially because they only got one rehearsal with the conductor and the orchestra! That means every note, every cue, every conversation had to be super clear and super short. No time for second guesses!

On the day of the concert, everyone was a little nervous (of course!), but also so excited. And when the music started—they played like real young musicians. Confident, expressive, and present.

That’s the moment I love the most: when all that quiet practice finally sings out into the hall.

Congratulations again to both of you on this rare and meaningful experience! I hope it stays with you—not just as a memory, but as a quiet reminder of what’s possible when you show up, keep going, and trust your hands.

Bravo! 👏🎹