The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Senior William Zhang is a composer who has written two pieces for the MV Chamber Orchestra at concerts.

The will for music

Giljoon Lee and Lillian Wang March 6, 2024

The track begins with thunderous drums and a tense, repeating musical phrase, called a motif, that evokes the sounds of bombs dropping. Ten seconds in, the instrumentation launches into chaos — electric...

Instrumental Music Director John Gilchrist takes a pause in directing the orchestra during its 2023 Winter Concert, “Forces of Nature.”

Striking the high note

Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang January 27, 2024
John Gilchrist wins the Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator Award
MVHS facilities staff are taking steps to address the ant infestations MVHS has dealt with for years.

Getting antsy

Stella Petzova and Alyssa Yang September 24, 2023
Examining how ant infestations affect MVHS students and faculty
The addition of Proposition 28 provides additional funding for MVHS arts departments, helping to continue sustaining these courses.

Keeping the arts alive

How declining enrollment and Proposition 28 are affecting the arts department
Passing Proposition 28

Passing Proposition 28

Aidan Ruan and Sophia Ma December 23, 2022

California Proposition 28, a measure designated to allocate funding for art programs across K-12 California public schools, was passed on Nov. 8 with 64.4% of voters in favor. Starting in 2023, the proposition...

Candy Cane Lane: According to Amy Young, this song, sang at choir’s Winter Concert on Dec. 16, was chosen since several students sang it in previous years, and wanted to bring back the songs positive feelings.

Planning performances

Brandon Xu December 20, 2022
Examining how the music department decides what songs to play in concerts
Senior Color Guard Member Katherine Chui takes her final stance at the end of the closer.

Marching Band and Color Guard shine at Tournament of Champions

Darpan Singh and Vincent Zhao November 24, 2022

Flags spinning, trumpets blaring and percussion laying down the beat, MVHS Marching Band performed its last ever performance of True North, the first show made custom for the band. Senior and soloist...

Huichol earrings made by Hernandez. Photo by Adriana Hernandez | Used with permission.

Photo courtesy of Adriana Hernandez | Used with permission

Mental health first

Anika Bhandarkar October 11, 2022

Lindsey Tang In addition to practicing the violin and playing basketball, junior and Social Media Manager of the Bullet Journaling Club Lindsey Tang often turns to bullet journaling as a form of self-care....

Students and staff use various methods to stay safe from COVID-19

Students and staff use various methods to stay safe from COVID-19

Minjae Kang February 4, 2022
Looking into the different precautions MVHS students and staff are taking in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Marching band equipment lined up on MVHS track field (photo used with permission)

Blurring the lines between art and sports

Amber Milesi, Staff Writer August 29, 2021

urple and gold flags fly six feet into the air. Dancers pirouette across the gym floor. A cacophony of saxophones and trumpets echo throughout the open band room door. The sights and sounds of many of...

Band Director John Gilchrist talks to wind ensemble through zoom (photo used with permission of John Gilchrist)

COVID-19’s impact on the MVHS Band

Tina Low and Minjae Kang October 27, 2020
How Concert Band’s new instructor and students have adapted to virtual practices
Director of Marching Band John Gilchrist stands in front of Monta Vista, beaming  //  Used with Perrmisson

JOHN GILCHRIST: The new marching band director

Anika Sharma October 17, 2020
Getting to know John Gilchrist and his plans for the future of the music department
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