On the evening of Thursday, Dec. 1, the Libertyville High School Fine Arts Department held its annual Orchestra Festival, a celebration of music showcasing not only the talents LHS orchestral students, but those of Highland Middle School as well. The Fine Arts Department holds three such festivals each year for each of its music programs: one for band, one for choir, and one for orchestra.

Each festival is an all-day event for the music students and staff. During the school day, the middle school students travel to LHS to rehearse their pieces and get a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the high school program. Through this festival, the LHS music staff hopes to encourage these younger students to continue their music education once they graduate. As LHS orchestra director Jeremy Marino told the audience at the festival, “the core reason for having this is to have [the middle school students] make a connection at LHS.”

In addition to getting the chance to perform together, the students at these festivals are also directed by a guest director. This year’s Orchestra Festival was directed in part by Thomas Bowling, an orchestra director from nearby Glenbard South High School. He spoke highly of his time at the festival as well as of his experience with the students, telling the audience with a smile, “They were so prepared and so kind…I know what it’s like to have a whole crowd of teenagers on stage and have them be nice to you.”

The day of the festival concluded with a concert for the students’ family and friends. During the concert, the audience enjoyed a wide assortment of student groups from both schools, playing an even wider assortment of music. From classical, floating string arrangements to a rousing orchestral rendition of some of Queen’s greatest hits, the audience was kept fully engaged and fully entertained from start to finish.