Behind the scenes of Concert Under the Stars

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we sit down with Fine Arts Director Mrs. Lewis and orchestra senior & Tri-M secretary Adelynn Tuck to explore what makes this annual event so meaningful. From the vision behind the production to the performer’s experience on stage, this episode highlights the passion, preparation, and community that bring CUTS to life.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:25

Here we believe every person has a story to tell, and we want to bring those stories to life. On this episode of Beyond the Ball, we'll be getting a behind-the-scenes look at Concert Under the Stars, otherwise known as Cuts, with Fine Arts Director Miss Lewis, an Orchestra Senior, and Triumph Secretary Adeline Tuck. Okay, so to kick things off, if you had one word to describe this year's cuts, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01 0:51

It's not a great word, but I guess I'd just say artsy. Um because it kind of is involving lots of different arts. So just artsy in general, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:02

How would you say that this year is gonna be different from years before?

SPEAKER_01 1:07

Um as of the past two years, it's actually gotten a little bit smaller. Um, not because we want less things going on, but just you know, the program and the vision that we have for Concerto the Stars um has kind of outgrown the space that we have, which has caused us to kind of par it down a little bit. So um it's a little bit smaller than it has been, you know, a couple of years ago, but um I'm excited this year that it's happening at the same time as the art show again this year because um I think it's a really great opportunity for us to kind of see lots of really great art by our middle school and upper school artists, and then also getting to hear music by our you know our performing arts people. So um last year we didn't have that, and you know, next year we're kind of thinking completely different where we get to maybe bring some more um groups back that didn't get to perform, but um yeah, the biggest thing is the fact that we're getting to have arts and music all in one space again, which is cool.

SPEAKER_02 2:08

Is there a particular like vision or theme guiding this year's um I would say there's a theme.

SPEAKER_01 2:15

I I think the whole under the stars thing is kind of the running theme that we've had for a while. Um I will say that that I am excited about there being more um like symphony collaborations, meaning like band and orchestra are playing together a little bit more than we have at Concert and the Stars in the past. Um and I think we're kind of moving, not moving away permanently, but then this year just feels like there's a little shift um in the traditional setting of what a concert looks like, you know, like most concerts don't have band and orchestra playing together or small groups playing little little small pieces instead of big pieces. So I think we've kind of re-imagined what an outdoor concert or just a concert in general has to look like. Um so just um yeah, I don't think there's the only real theme I would say is just like the whole under the stars vibe, but um I think the combined performances and the different the small groups that are that are working have made it feel a little different than it has in the past.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Alright, so from memories, what's a moment from Cuts in the Past that's your favorite that you always think of when you think of it?

SPEAKER_01 3:25

Yeah, this is actually funny. One of the ones that I that comes to mind a lot is a couple of years ago, maybe two years ago, um I I remember I got the opportunity to hear there was Danae Martin, and I think it was Pearl, maybe Sandy Lou and Elleray. Um they were they like sang together, and I had never heard them sing before, like together. Or even some of them had solos, and I just remember remember thinking how pretty their voices were and how how nice that's how nice it sounded, and I really was just like really moved by their um their performance and and what they sang about. It's really pretty and it's really beautiful, and I remember like feeling thankful to have that opportunity because again, that's not something that happens in a traditional like chorus concert or choir concert. So just really being able to hear some students that I'd never heard in their elements really just get to shine on stage. And um, I remember even Sandy was like kind of new at that year, and she, you know, I I hadn't even heard her speak a whole lot of English, so being able to hear her actually express herself through singing was a really memorable moment for me.

SPEAKER_02 4:33

Okay, so if say people don't have the time to stay the entire time, what's one song or moment that you hope people stay for?

SPEAKER_01 4:44

Um, I guess it just kind of depends on what their what their vibe is. You know, it's not um we're thankful for any sort of support and time people, you know, share with us in the arts, but um I'm I'm real excited for the big combined piece towards the end with band and orchestra. Um I think both of those are gonna be really good and exciting and cool to see all of our kids kind of doing their thing together. Um there's some jazz pieces that I'm really looking forward to. Um and then just kind of celebrating our seniors, right? There's there's a there's a lot of seniors in orchestra this year, there's a handful in band, and it's a lot of their last concerts, so um just being in the moment with the seniors and being there to just kind of shake their hand and say, you know, well done because you know their their time here is coming to a close on that night.

SPEAKER_02 5:28

Okay. So looking into the future, where do you hope that Concert Under the Stars ends up being in five years? Like, how do you want to change it? That's a good question.

SPEAKER_01 5:38

Um, I I've we've been in talks about kind of making it more like a big arts festival, like more of a community thing, instead of just kind of being tailored for arts people and their families. Um, you know, we we've we toyed around with the idea of maybe moving it to a different location, maybe at the pack, maybe at Newtown. Well, these are all kind of beginning ideas, but just having a a place where we could do have lower school involved again, and maybe have some um, you know, maybe some arts markets type of things where we're we're getting to kind of sell the artwork that we're making and just kind of making it more of a a pisca palooza, if you will, kind of like a a real music festival, a real arts festival, um, that's just more community driven and more community outreach. Maybe local vendors come in, maybe um an alumni come back and share some things they've been working on. I just really wanted to make it a community event um that kind of just brings everybody together.

SPEAKER_02 6:40

Okay, so last question before we wrap it up, if you could give one message to the audience, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01 6:46

Um it would be clear schedule, do your best to stay for the whole time, it's not super long. Um, and just really kind of be in the moment. It's it's a relaxed vibe. Um, but that the vibe and the relaxation that we want you to feel and the enjoyment that we want you to feel doesn't um really encapsulate all the hard work that all the students have put into it. Um so just remember that these kids, these kids have put in a lot of work and they're they're excited about um sharing their gift and their talents with you. Um and just come come bring your family, be excited, uh cheer loud, and and just come out and support just not only Constantine of the Stars, but also our artists too. Thank you so much. You're welcome.

SPEAKER_02 7:25

So now I'm here with Adeline Tuck. She is a senior in the orchestra. So to start off, how would you describe this year's cuts in one word?

SPEAKER_00 7:37

I would say probably very detailed because there's a lot of extra moving parts that we're putting into it, especially at Triam. Last year it was mainly just getting together the ensembles and making sure everyone gets out on time and the like. But this year we're trying to increase community engagement through it. So we're also adding some food trucks, and hopefully combining with the art show will mean that we will be able to appeal to a bigger audience.

SPEAKER_02 8:09

Okay, so what does cuts feel like from inside, from the performer's perspective?

SPEAKER_00 8:16

Well, from the orchestra perspective, it's definitely a unique challenge because orchestra instruments are not designed to be played outside, unlike band instruments, which can do things like marching band really easily because they project so well, orchestra has to adjust a lot for volume to be heard even outside, and just learning how to adapt to the acoustics when there's nothing above you, and it's just a very unique situation.

SPEAKER_02 8:46

Okay, so this is next couple of questions about you. Is there a moment this year with the orchestra that you will always remember?

SPEAKER_00 8:57

I would say that would probably be the Christmas concert when we were all able to get together and do a concert after the really tough semester we had had, and we really expressed ourselves as particularly through Cerulean, which was Grace's piece, and then we were also able to celebrate the season and all of the fun of Christmas by playing with the choir, which was of course tons of fun, and that was a really unique experience.

SPEAKER_02 9:31

Why do you choose music? Why do you play?

SPEAKER_00 9:34

I play for me, it's to play with other people. I don't enjoy playing by myself. I don't find it fun when I'm locked up in a room and I'm just practicing by myself. I get bored. So every chance that I get to play with people, it's so much fun because the best groups really become like a family and learning how to play together, how to move together, how to breathe together even while you're playing, and then also collaborating on how do we make this piece sound the best that it can.

SPEAKER_02 10:06

For this upcoming cuts, what's a piece that you're excited for and why does it matter to you?

SPEAKER_00 10:13

So I am definitely most excited for nobody knows the trouble I've seen for the orchestra because that is a piece that I actually played freshman year as a part of a weekend event, and I loved it. For me, it was really instrumental in teaching me how the importance of movement in the orchestra and really expressing yourself physically so that the audience could see the motion in the music and not just hear it. Um, I also really love the jazz elements of it. I find that really, really fun.

SPEAKER_02 10:50

So what what do you hope that the audience experiences during cuts?

SPEAKER_00 10:56

I really hope that we're able to reach out to a larger audience, especially if we could get some younger kids there and that they would be able to hear what it sounds like when you're in sixth grade orchestra versus when you're in upper school orchestra or when you're in sixth grade band versus upper school band, um, and really just not be discouraged by, oh, I've never picked up an instrument before, I'll never be able to get that good, but rather be able to hear the progress that can be made just through school orchestra.

SPEAKER_02 11:29

Even in spite of the fact that you're graduating at the end of this year, what do you hope that future students will get to experience with cuts?

SPEAKER_00 11:38

I hope that cuts will be the program of the year that really brings the performing arts together because that's really the one opportunity that all of the band and all of the orchestra gets together for one event to perform for the group. Um and I really hope that for the performers, of course, that's a unifying experience, and I really hope that for the audience, the audience diversifies so that we can reach a large number of people and they can it gives the performers an opportunity to show what they can do, and it gives the audience a chance to be inspired by all of the work that's been done and just really enjoy a night of music.

SPEAKER_02 12:24

Our last question if you could tell the audience one thing before Concert Under the Stars, what would it be?

SPEAKER_00 12:33

I would say to probably keep an open mind. What the sixth graders and what the seventh graders and all of the younger students have accomplished is just as incredible as listening to the high school orchestra play. Definitely go into it and be ready to really just enjoy all of the performers that are out there. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_02 12:57

Thank you to both Ms. Lewis and Adeline. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to follow us on Spotify Podcast. And if you have an idea for a future episode, send us a message on Instagram at MPCS Liberty Bell. Thank you so much for listening to Beyond the Bell. We'll see you soon.