9 students from Tulare County, who are all from Redwood High School, were selected to be a part of the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA). CODA is an honor group that requires an audition to gain entry and it can also be very difficult to become a member.
The 9 students from Tulare County who made the group are Sophie Caballes ‘26, Tyler Tomooka ‘23, Hayl-lee Gallegos ‘23, Yong Lee ‘26, Samuel Noricumbo ‘25, Zachary Tomooka ‘26, Jessica Shupe ‘23, Rose Candelaria ‘23, and Mary Castillo ‘23.
Caballes, Lee, Noricumbo, and Zachary Tomooka play the cello. Tyler Tomooka and Shupe play the violin. Gallegos plays the viola.
Caballes says CODA is “an orchestra composed of a lot of different musicians from all over California and high schools”. She was surprised when she made it in because she said “last year was super competitive”.
Tyler Tomooka says, “We play most of the songs in the county orchestra or in redwood’s orchestra”. This is how they have been preparing for the orchestra concert coming up.
The concert will take place On Saturday, December 3rd at 1:00 pm at Wilson Middle School Performance Hall in San Diego, Tyler Tomooka says, “There’s only one song” they need to practice for.
Gallegos says, “CODA statewide orchestra group that only happens all over the year” so, “I’m just happy I made it in.” She worked hard for the audition and she said “It feels great” being able to make it in.
Lee says that it “feels pretty good because it’s hard to get in and I feel lucky I’m able to go there.” He also felt relieved getting in since he worked hard for it.
Everyone was pretty shocked and/or surprised that they had made it in the group since CODA is very competitive.
Noricumbo says, “I was really happy about it, but I was also really stressed”. He also made it last year so he said, “I was hoping to make it this year.”
Zachary Tomooka says, “The fact that in this group, to begin with, is nice” and “I get to make music with so many people across the state.” He feels special as he only started playing last year.
All of these students are honored as CODA is a prestigious group and is quite difficult to get into.
Shupe says that she is “honored to be part of CODA because it is an incredibly selective group. Earning the privilege of participating in this group required immense effort and countless hours of practice and preparation.”
Gallegos lastly says, “I just hope we do good and the underclassmen violas have this chance next year.”
Natalie Enriquez
Natalie Enriquez, '24, is in her second year of writing for the Redwood Gigantea. Outside of journalism, she likes to pass time reading or listening to music. Natalie hopes to make her time, as well as others, at Redwood High School fun and memorable.
Tags: arts, arts and entertainment, orchestra, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, rhs, rhs orchestra
