CCHS Orchestra presents ‘A Fall Concert’

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City High School Orchestra, under the direction of Bethany Otte, presented its first concert of the school year Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church.

The orchestra opened the performance with Bud Caputo’s arrangement of the “Star Spangled Banner,” by Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith, and followed that with the traditional African-American spiritual “Deep River,” arranged by John Leavitt. Kiki Connell was soloist for that number.

“Viva Violas,” by Richard Meyer was the next number, and following that, the Charles City High School Wire Choir was featured during Handel’s Royal Fireworks Overture, arranged by Todd Parrish.

Members of the Charles City Community Chamber Orchestra joined the CCHS students for the final two numbers, starting with “Adagio,” by Tomaso Albinoni and Remo Glazotto, arrangement by Jamin Hioffman. “Adagio” featured soloist Sophia Jensen. The final number of the night was “Bravery and Grace,” which is a medley by George Sweet that included traditional bagpipe songs, such as “Amazing Grace” and “Scotland the Brave.”