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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

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 26, 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
Photo courtesy of California All-State Music Education Conference

MVHS Music Department’s All-State Band and Orchestra members

How All-State band programs are managed through the screen
Aditya Shukla and Devin Gupta
February 8, 2021
Senior Elena Chen performs at Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall during the National Youth Orchestra program.

Senior Elena Chen’s cello playing experience

Elena Chen describes her path to becoming a member of the National Youth Orchestra
Claire Wen and Tyler Cho
March 13, 2020
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