The Chaparral orchestra performed at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival High School String Competition March 20, 2025, placing them amongst the top 20 high school orchestras in the nation.
Orchestra members traveled to Atlanta, Georgia March 19 to 22 as part of their spring break trip to participate in the ASTA competition and conference and explore the city.
“It’s a really special memory,” senior cellist Margaret Ellen Jackson said. “These trips always are a great opportunity to kind of spend more time one on one with your friends in orchestra and get to know each other more because we play so often together. But it’s nice to talk to everybody as well.”
The orchestra has excelled at both regional and state levels. In 2024, the Chaps made up over 60% of the Region 32 Orchestra and had five members perform as part of the Texas All-State Ensemble. At full-orchestra UIL, they received sweepstakes for both varsity and non-varsity orchestras. Participating in the ASTA National Orchestra Festival introduces the Chaparral orchestra to a new challenge.
“One of the things that I really liked was going [to the ASTA National Orchestra Festival] and for everyone to see what other people do around the country,” orchestra director Josue Martinez said. “We’re good here, but other people are doing fantastic work elsewhere. Let’s take those tidbits and get better and better and better and continue to grow.”
In order to prepare for the competition, the orchestra held extra rehearsals for those participating on the trip. The Chaps met before school on Tuesdays and after school on Wednesdays, along with additional sectional rehearsals and workshops with special clinicians like Professor Farkhad Khudyev from the University of Texas Butler School of Music.
After months of hard work, the orchestra flew to Atlanta March 19 to perform the next day.
“I think we played well, and I think everybody was really focused and really gave it their all,” Jackson said. “I was proud of everybody for showing up with their A-game and doing their best. I think that says a lot about the type of kids in orchestra. Everybody wants to be prepared and successful and do the best for the sake of the group.”
As part of the competition, the orchestra was required to play at least one piece composed by a living composer. So, the orchestra played Celebration Fanfare by Jennifer Higdon, along with Serenade in G Minor, Op. 242 by Carl Reinecke, Symphony No. 2, Mvt. 2 by William Grant Still, Adagietto from Symphony No. 5 by Gustav Mahler and Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus by Ralph Vaughan Williams, music that would normally be seen at the collegiate or professional level according to Martinez.
Along with the competition, orchestra members had the opportunity to visit the convention center where they could see different instruments, including a 3D printed cello and violin. They also visited the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Medieval Times and the Atlanta Symphony.
“[The competition was the] same night that we got to see the Atlanta Symphony play,” Jackson said. “So we kind of got to see the student perspective and where we’re at, and then compare it to the professionals and see how much we have to grow, and how wonderful classical music is that it can be done at all these different levels and still be bringing people together.”
Orchestra members grew closer throughout the spring break trip, and the competition and preparation provided them with new experiences and knowledge.
“I’m really grateful to Mr. Martinez,” Jackson said. “He continues to provide all of these big opportunities and keeps building up the orchestra. We have these chances to take our music to other places and have more of the professional schedule and expectations. It’s pushed all of us students to a high level in high school. Now, we’re all prepared – whether it’s in music or in academics or other parts of our life – to understand what success requires a high level and do that well.”
