As the school year comes to an end, audiences were able to see a polished performance under the stage lights from Carmont High School’s symphonic band and symphony orchestra.
Hours of rehearsals, late-night practice sessions, and the pressure of live performance all built toward a single concert, one that represents far more than just music.
“Since I’m the only harpist, there’s no one to cover for me if I mess up. So I actually have to lock in and make sure I play the notes,” said Jaime Yong, a junior in the Carmont Symphony Orchestra.
Unlike other instrument sections with multiple players, one mistake from Yong can be heard by the entire audience, adding a layer of responsibility to her role.
“There’s definitely a lot more pressure to play perfectly,” Yong said.
To deal with the pressure, practice is crucial, especially at home.
“Lots of music playing. As it gets closer to the performance date, the frequency of it becomes higher,” said Ronald Yong, Jaime Yong’s father.
Outside of school rehearsals, the pressure isn’t reduced much, as Yong spends additional time listening to the music she will play and practicing at home.
Although audiences typically only see the final performance, parents often witness the long process leading up to it. Ronald Yong believes that people tend to underestimate the dedication students put into preparation.
“They watch it for about an hour and a half, but there’s a lot more that goes into the practices,” Ronald Yong said.
The preparation involves more than technical improvement. According to Ronald Yong, music also helps students manage stress from academics and other responsibilities.
However, preparation looks different for some musicians.
“Collaboration and communication and making sure that all of these different moving pieces and individual players line up is important,” said Rocky Lee, a sophomore in the Carlmont Symphony Orchestra.
Lee also noted the importance of playing in the moment. While many people struggle with dealing with pressure, Lee’s mindset is crucial to him.
“I found especially with performances like this, it’s really a mental thing. I stopped worrying about sounding good or sounding bad,” Lee said.
The performance represents more than a musical showcase. Behind every polished piece is weeks of preparation, pressure, and persistence, much of which audiences never fully see from their seats.
Although the musicians’ work culminates in the performance itself, the importance of the concert goes deeper.
“A lot of it comes from community support. It would not be the same without this kind of community,” Lee said.
