On Thursday, April 18, Jesuit High School Sacramento’s Orchestra performed their spring season concert at the Phelan Chapel of the North American Martyrs, where they got the opportunity to showcase their teamwork and skill.

Samuel “Sam” Gegax ’25 is happy with the turnout and feedback from the audience and feels like the orchestra’s hard work paid off. 

“[The] orchestra performed very well,” Sam said. “We put in a lot of work preparing… [and] met the expectations we have set for concerts of the past with a large attendance and the enjoyment of the audience.”

Jace Kim ’25 credits the event’s success to Orchestra Conductor Mr. Paolo Reyes who has thoroughly trained the orchestra for such an event.  

“I’ve been a part of six orchestra concerts at Jesuit and this one was probably my number one,” Jace said. “The literature choice from Mr. Reyes was very hard and we all practiced a lot to make it sound good.”

Mr. Reyes enjoys the opportunity to help the orchestra prepare, not only to help them improve as musicians, but also to give them pieces they will find enjoyment in playing.

“There’s always going to be something to work out,” Mr. Reyes said. “But I think that’s the whole point of why I do what I do. Just to present the music that I know they’ll enjoy, but also [it] is very difficult at the same time, and just pushing them a little bit more just to help them get there.”

Jace enjoyed playing the pieces that were chosen, as they gave him an opportunity to express his proficiency with the flute. 

“My favorite pieces were ‘Danse Boheme’ and ‘Mambo’,” Jace said. “I play flute and ‘Danse Boheme’ has a heavy flute part which was fun to play and the version of ‘Mambo’ we play is off the track from ‘West Side Story,’ so it’s the real deal.”

Mr. Reyes is proud of the progress that the orchestra has made in working as a team to continue performing well. 

“[Upperclassmen] are giving a lot of support to the underclassmen, especially to the ones who have not been playing as long,” Mr. Reyes said. “The underclassmen are starting to take to that community building really well.”

This concert was a phenomenal ending for the Jesuit Orchestra’s year as they were able to learn new pieces, improve as musicians, and grow closer as a community. The high standard that this concert delivered is sure to be transmitted to next year, as the orchestra continues to grow and showcase wonderful performances.