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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

Junior Kyoto Nishikawa performs "First Suite in Eb for Military Band" in the second part of the concert. Photo | Melody Lin

MVHS Music Department holds its ‘Beyond the Planets’ concert

Symphonic, Concert Band and Philharmonic Orchestra perform the second day of a two-day program
Sih Yu (Melody) Lin
March 10, 2025
Junior cellist Elspeth Luu and senior cellist Robin Yoon hold their bows up, signifying the end of a piece. Photo | Angela Poon

Monta Vista Orchestra holds opening night of “Beyond the Planets” concert

Showcasing the music of Gustav Holst, the concert also included the first solo performance of Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 2” by a freshman
Angela Poon and Aletheia Ju
March 10, 2025
Instrumental Music Director John Gilchrist opens the floor for applause following senior and concertmaster Amy Zheng’s violin solo for a concerto.

“Unto Greater Heights” closes the year on a high note

MVHS Music Department performs its Pops Concert as the final concert of the year
Kathryn Foo and Alyssa Yang
May 22, 2024
Senior William Zhang is a composer who has written two pieces for the MV Chamber Orchestra at concerts.

The will for music

Senior William Zhang discusses his passion for music composition
Giljoon Lee and Lillian Wang
March 6, 2024
Instrumental Music Director John Gilchrist takes a pause in directing the orchestra during its 2023 Winter Concert, “Forces of Nature.”

Striking the high note

John Gilchrist wins the Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator Award
Alyssa Yang and Benjamin Zhang
January 27, 2024
Passing Proposition 28

Passing Proposition 28

What the California Proposition 28 means for MVHS art programs
Aidan Ruan and Sophia Ma
December 23, 2022
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 song's positive feelings.

Planning performances

Examining how the music department decides what songs to play in concerts
Brandon Xu
December 20, 2022
Senior Clay Carson sits among his peers in the California Philharmonic Youth Orchestra's performance.

Behind the notes

Students explore their experiences playing in youth symphonies
Megha Mummaneni
November 4, 2022
String Orchestra students perform symphonies at the Fall Concert which took place Oct 28.

MVHS Band and Orchestra capture Halloween spirit in its Fall Concert

Ensembles enchant audiences with a mysterious and enthralling performance
Samika Bhatkar
October 31, 2022
Sophomore Abha Dash plays the flute during Symphonic Band’s performance. Symphonic Band played two pieces titled “West Highland Sojourn” and “Waltz No. 2” before intermission.

The instrumental music department hosts its annual Festival Concert

Band and orchestra perform “From Britain with Love” with a feature from the Brass Ensemble
Melody Cui and Gauri Manoj
February 19, 2022
Senior Claire Yang experiments with different types of art, from charcoal still lifes to digital drawings.

Choosing artistic and hands-on electives

Exploring the creative courses that students take at MVHS
Kalyani Puthenpurayil
January 22, 2022
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