The Dos Pueblos High School Instrumental Music Program held a concert last Thursday, showcasing their concert band and orchestra in preparation for their upcoming performance at the Cal Poly Band and Orchestra Festival.
“Tonight, I think, by giving it our all in practice, we ended up with a really good performance,” alto sax player Lilah Gullett (9) said.
The other band and orchestra members agreed that they were well-prepared for the performance.
“I thought it went really well,” cellist Lucia Deslippe (9) said. “It was the best we’ve done so far.”
The concert band performed “Galop Comique,” composed by Randall D. Standridge, “Mountain Thyme,” composed by Samuel R. Hazo, and “Fate of the Gods,” composed by Steven Reineke.
Gullett described “Galop Comique” as “playful and lighthearted,” while she said “Mountain Thyme” was more “reflective.” She added that “Fate of the Gods,” which she called a “fan favorite,” was like a “clash” between good and evil.
The orchestra performed three songs as well: “221 B Baker Street,” composed by Jeffrey S. Bishop, “River Song,” composed by Richard Meyer, and “New World Symphony no. 9,” composed by Antonín Dvořák and arranged by Deborah Baker Monday.
Deslippe described “New World Symphony no. 9” as “dramatic and an intense piece,” adding that it was her favorite piece the orchestra played.
This concert helped to prepare the concert band and orchestra’s performance at the Cal Poly Band and Orchestra Festival on March 13 and 14, where they will be playing the same repertoire.
“This was a practice, seeing how we do onstage in front of a crowd, and gearing up for that competition,” Gullett said.
Aside from helping band students practice onstage, the concert was also a trial run for them to see where their technique could be improved.
“We definitely have a really good base,” Gullett said. “And then for the next week we’ll probably nitpick and clean things up until it’s ready to be put in front of judges.”
According to cellist Amanda Jevbratt-Deschenes (9), the orchestra is well prepared and ready to compete.
“I’m excited,” Jevbratt-Deschenes said. “We’ll be performing, and then judges will judge us, and we’ll get a score.”
Overall, both concert band and orchestra students said they were proud of their performance and looking forward to their next competition at California Polytechnic State University.
“There’s a thing that Ms. Ware says: ‘It’s fun to be good,’” Gullett said. “So walking off that stage, and not absolutely crashing, it’s a pretty good feeling.”
Edited 3/17/26 AP style issue
