Redwood Students Share Outstanding Orchestra Experiences

By Piper Figallo

The COS Symphony had its orchestra concert on Thursday, April 20th. Redwood students Maria Reynaga, ‘23, and Rose Candelaria, ‘23,  played in this performance and they shared their experiences. 

Reynaga plays the cello. To prepare, Reynaga says, “I usually practice every day and I just focus on whatever needs the most work.”

Reynaga expresses what the highlight of the performance was. She says the best part was the “surprise singer because no one expected it.”

When asked if any part of the performance was difficult, Reynaga answers yes because there was a part in the concert “where the cellos really had to shine in a certain piece.”

Reynaga shares what she loves about orchestra. She says, “My favorite part about orchestra is the people.

She adds that “everyone is just so fun, we all love each other, and we just get along so well like a family.”

Reynaga wants to continue to play in the orchestra after high school. She says, “I plan to play in the Santa Cruz Orchestra.”

Rose Candelaria plays the violin. She says, “I love it so much that I am going to be continuing to play the violin at Cal Poly.”

Candelaria expresses how she felt about performing. She says, “ I was super nervous because I was playing a solo accompanied by the orchestra.”

Candelaria says the best part of the performance was, “the opening piece, my solo which was a lot of fun, and the ending piece.”

Candelaria also explains that what she likes the most about orchestra is the people. She says, “as a group we really have fun with each other.”

She adds on and says, “I also really like the pieces we get to play after we are familiar with them, it becomes fun rather than a challenge.

Candelaria says she is going to continue orchestra after college because she is majoring in music and going to join any orchestra or ensemble that she can.

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