The rich sound of classical music filled Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center (PAC) auditorium as powerful brass notes, flowing strings, and angelic voices unite in harmony. On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 20, the Westwood Symphony Orchestra, Varsity Choirs, and Wind Ensemble came together for the annual Masterworks concert, delivering a commanding performance that showcased the pinnacle of student art. 

“I thought it was really special and impressive for us varsity choirs to perform with the orchestra,” Rosemary Mulcuck ‘27 said. “We sounded so good and in a way, it made me realize how far we’ve come as a choir since we were literally performing with the best in choir and orchestra.”

The collaboration between the three ensembles brought a rare opportunity for students to experience the full force of combined musical talent. Unlike typical concerts where each group performs separately, Masterworks united the three on stage, creating a robust and energetic atmosphere that captivated the audience. The choir began the evening with pieces like Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Claudio Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir.

“[Gloria] was really interesting because [it] had three parts to it and the transitions made the silence so intense,” Saloni Chitari ‘28 said.”I know it probably built up like lots of anticipation which was really exciting for us all.” 

After the choir concluded their powerful performance, the Symphony Orchestra took the stage to perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Mov. 4, which had its own set of challenges.

“[Tchaikovsky is] really intense. You always have to pay attention to Ms. Dacy because it’s very rhythmic, but there’s also musical parts in there, so you always have to be watching,” Jonathan Chow ‘27 said. “The tempo also varies. There’s a lot of speeding up and slowing down. Basically, all eyes on her at all times.” 

The unique challenges of combining three distinct ensembles created powerful moments that individual groups cannot achieve alone. The collaborative nature allowed students to experience music on a larger scale than typical concerts.

“Other than graduation, we never see the choir, so this is pretty special,” Sterling Vaughn ‘27 said. “Masterworks is not a simple expression of music. It is a universal truth, foundation that we bring to life through our instruments and through music.”

As the final notes resonated through the auditorium and applause filled the PAC, it was clear that Masterworks had delivered on its promise. The concert showed the heights student musicians can reach when united under a common purpose, creating an unforgettable evening of musical excellence.

The Westwood Orchestra will perform their Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the PAC, and the Westwood Choir will take the stage again on Friday, Dec. 12 at the Hope Presbyterian Church for their Winter Showcase.