Each year, students at Maggie Walker have the opportunity to participate in Central Regional Orchestra (CRO). This year, seventh, eighth, and ninth graders from over twenty different counties auditioned for a spot in an eighty-five-piece orchestra. After practicing for two days together, the musicians performed multiple pieces for an audience. Many ninth-grade orchestra students participated in seventh grade but had not been back in two years due to COVID-19. In addition, because of COVID, there was only one orchestra this year, even though there are usually two different ones. This made CRO even more selective, but the Dragons did not back down because of a little extra competition. 

Many orchestra students at Maggie Walker were elated to audition for CRO. Ms. Barnes and the Intermediate Orchestra practiced for months in advance for the auditions. She believed that the more practice individuals did on their own, the better chance they would have of getting in, and the young musicians did not take that lightly. Maggie Walker instrumentalists prepared diligently for a long time and were finally ready for auditions.

At Moody Middle School, students were required to play two random two-octave scales of the judge’s choice, a prepared piece, and a final sight-reading. Although auditions were somewhat nerve-racking, the Dragons were ready for the challenge. Violist Ally Lichtman stated, “Auditioning for CRO was a great way to challenge myself under pressure as well as open doors to new orchestral experiences and the musical community beyond Maggie Walker.”

Out of the eleven students auditioning, nine were accepted. Way to show up Maggie Walker! Congratulations to Anna Kim, Reese Wu, Aditya Badhrayan, Ally Lichtman, Hoda Vohra, Katie Watson,  Emma Murphy,  Sree Gangireddy, and Maddie Gerlach for being selected. The stellar performers from Maggie Walker that were accepted to and attended CRO not only proved the magnificent musical talent that Dragons have, but also the Dragons’ eagerness to find more opportunities to pursue in the musical world.

The accepted students left school on a Friday and took a bus driven by Ms. Barnes to Matoaca High School in Chesterfield County. The group rehearsed together for many hours to get ready for their big performance the next day. On Saturday, students rehearsed for a couple more hours before the performance that afternoon. Violist Hoda Vohra described the group rehearsal saying, “I loved rehearsing with people that have the same interests and have the same goal: to improve our playing skills. I met a lot of people… and the conductor was amazing and really helped us to improve… I felt like I personally improved a lot as a player.”

The musicians performed five beautiful and contrasting pieces and were met with thunderous applause. Overall, Maggie Walker students had a fantastic time during CRO. Violinist Reese Wu said, “I’m so glad I got the chance to participate in CRO this year. It was a great opportunity to learn from other musicians who share my passion!” Thanks to everybody who worked hard to make Central Region Orchestra happen. Maggie Walker musicians made the school proud.