Arlington School & Family Magazine January/February 2016 | Page 19

Arlington
High School
Orchestra students play
their way to state
Staff Writer: Angel Garcia
Photographer: Albert Pena
Recently at AHS, two talented musicians completed an
amazing feat. Senior Niraj Patil and sophomore Hannah
Lei successfully made it into the All-State orchestra.
WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF
YOUR JOURNEY TO STATE?
Niraj Patil: For me, balancing orchestra and my extracurricular
activities like tennis proved to be a bit of a problem, but after
a while you really learn how to manage your time better.
Hannah Lei: The most difficult part of my journey to state
for me was definitely finding time to practice the music,
which included listening to recordings and understanding
the style and character of the excerpts, and the learning
process when I first got the music.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU OWE YOUR SUCCESS
MORE TO THE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM OR
SELF-PREPARATION?
NP: Definitely self preparation.
HL: Mostly self-preparation, but every year there’s a mock
audition held in the orchestra room on the day before the
actual recording, which really helped me so I have to thank
the orchestra program as well.
DO YOU TAKE LESSONS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL?

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT
GOING TO STATE?

HL: Yes, I study with Joni Baczewski. She is a violist in the
Fort Worth Symphony who also taught my brother.

NP: Just finding out if I made it or not was really fun for me.
HL: My favorite part about going to state was being a part
of the many people who were also preparing for the same
thing I was and having the reassurance and support from
them. Getting together with the other musicians, listening
to each other, giving and receiving guidance, it was an
experience in itself.
HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK WOULD YOU SAY
YOU PUT INTO PRACTICING?
NP: Well, I practice about an hour a day, so about 7-8 hours
a week.
HL: I try my best to practice everyday, but usually I end
up practicing pr ؘX