On April 18 during SRT, the top ensembles from each division of the performing arts department will be performing during the Performing Arts Convocation, according to Soo Han, performing arts department chair and director of orchestras. The top ensembles that will be performing include Ambassadors, Accents, Jazz Band 1, Wind Symphony 1, Symphony Orchestra and the winter color guard. Every ensemble performs one song and has around five to six minutes to be featured.

Han said, “For the convo, we don’t prepare anything specific. What we’re doing is featuring the work that’s been happening in all of our performing arts classes since the beginning of the semester. For example, the ensemble that I know the most intimately is the Symphony Orchestra. We’re going to be featuring one of the pieces that we are going to be competing with at the beginning of May at the Indiana State School Music Association competition.”

Evelyn Shan, Symphony Orchestra member and junior, said to prepare for the convocation, the orchestra has been running through the pieces many times.

“We actually had the chance to work with David Kim, concertmaster of Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, which is super good, so he helped us polish our pieces. It was a neat opportunity to work with someone so well known,” Shan said.

Han said he is glad Principal John Williams has provided this opportunity for the performing arts department. The two main purposes of the convocation, according to Han, are to showcase the talent of the students in each division and also to “expose our students to types of music and performances that they may not be exposed to a lot.”

Han said, “I’m just so proud of the students in our department and what they represent. I feel like a proud father and I’m really excited that they have the opportunity to showcase their work and talent. We’re so fortunate that the student body here at Carmel High School receives these performances so well. I can’t imagine something like this happening at other schools, but the student body has been so respectful, receptive and appreciative of the work that their peers do for this convo. It’ll just be a big day of celebration. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”