Middle school students traveled to Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) for the Honor Orchestra Festival on April 16. Hosted by the Korea International Music Educators Association (KIMEA), the event provided students with opportunities for collaboration and music exchange. 

With 156 participants representing 11 different schools, students worked with peers from across Asia during the two-day festival. Sixth grader Purnima Cha on cello, sixth grader Jennie Kim on violin, seventh grader Lily Kim on cello, eighth grader Gia Kim on violin and eighth grader Arin Kwon on viola represented DIS at the ensemble. 

This year, students advanced a competitive nomination process emphasizing both skill and character. “Students were selected based on their teacher nominations. The teacher selects students who match the level that’s required for the ensemble, and to show factors that represent a member of the honors ensemble, such as attention, responsibility, passion, drive, work ethic, and others,” Hutchings said.

To prepare for the final performance, students refined their ensemble skills through rehearsals and section work. “Because I applied for the advanced level, I was expected to invest more time and practice harder in my trials,” Kim said. “I heard that the orchestra had a more serious atmosphere, and I was motivated to work harder.” 

In the intermediate orchestra, students performed “Legends of Glory” by Kathryn Griesinger and “Fossils and Finale: Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saëns. Arranged by Todd Parrish.” At the same time, the advanced orchestra performed “Deadly Pursuit” by Aaron Soltis and “October” by Eric Whitacre. 

The students’ shared commitment to a selective ensemble elevated the atmosphere throughout rehearsals. “I felt a difference in the level of concentration in the honor band and orchestra,” Cha said. “While the students in the honor band focused on having fun, the orchestra members’ eyes were fixed on their instruments.” 

Band director Mr. Hutchings highlighted the significance of the event for DIS. “We just haven’t had many middle school string kids show interest, and we had a hard time scheduling the festival in the first place because we didn’t have any schools that agreed to host for a while,” he said. “It was fun to have a middle orchestra since the last one years ago.”

The experience also influenced the way students viewed music and performance. “The event was important because the students get an outlet for a higher level of playing, but also they learn a lot, and then they bring it back with them,” Mr. Hutchings said. “Students go and become a different person, and then when they bring it back to your program, it brings everybody else around them up.”

Reflecting on the festival, the orchestra experience opened doors for students to embrace a true musician’s mindset while building meaningful connections and fun experiences. “Oftentimes, our lives are filled with competition, whether it be in sport or academics. However, when we musicians gather together, our main goal is to listen to each other, play music together, and share a truly exceptional performance with the audience,” KIMEA director Kyle Kresge said.