Seattle Philharmonic Trip

Samo’s Philharmonic Orchestra kicked off their spring break with an eventful four day trip to Seattle, Washington. The students and their families voted for this tour among a few other destination possibilities, and from there they began fundraising the money needed to provide students with financial aid.Following their arrival on the night of March 30, the students attended a Seattle Symphony concert, featuring the music of  Sergei Rachmaninov.“It was a great opportunity to hear a world-class professional orchestra in their beautiful hall,” Philharmonic teacher Jason Aiello said.After the concert, they headed over to the University of Washington to participate in a clinic with the UW Symphony conductor, Dr. David Rahbee. Students first played for Dr. Rahbee, and then he conducted the orchestra and gave musical suggestions on how they could improve. They ended their first full day in Seattle overlooking the city on the top of the Space Needle. “The Washington University Clinic was a great experience. My orchestra improved our dynamic contrast and phrasing,” violinist Shanya Galbokke Hewage (’19) said.The next morning they were woken up bright and early to perform in a musical festival at Chief Sealth International High School. The Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonic Strings both performed very well and were successful in the festival. They were the two highest scoring ensembles in the festival. “All of the judges at the festival commended the students for their great musicianship and passion. Shoshanah Israilevich (’20), cello, and Lily Rafat (’20) , violin, were both awarded the Maestro Award by the judges for outstanding musicianship,” Aiello said.The students were then given the afternoon to explore Downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market and Pier 57. For their final Seattle excursion, the group went on the Argosy Cruise to Blake Island and Tillicum Village Dinner. They then headed back home the next day, April 2. “Exploring Seattle was definitely a memorable experience I will cherish for eternity. I had so much fun with my friends,” Galbokke Hewage said. “The overall take away from this trip was just the reinforcement of the phrase ‘hard work pays off’. The philharmonic orchestra worked diligently on our repertoire and that payed off since we received the highest rating at the festival.”