Director of orchestras Thomas Chen prepares the program for the orchestra concert. Chen said the concert will feature several well-known pieces, including excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite.

The CHS performing arts department is preparing for the upcoming winter orchestra concert on Dec. 8 at 6 and 8 p.m. in the Dale E. Graham Auditorium (two different performances).

According to director of orchestras Thomas Chen, this concert in particular will be unique.

Chen said, “One of the unique parts of this concert is that we feature students from the United Sound club, where students with special needs learn to play instruments from students in the orchestra program, so in this concert, we invite the club members to come and play with the orchestra. Otherwise, every concert is kind of special because the kids are always learning new pieces.”

According to Chen, students put in hours of time into perfecting their pieces.

“Some of our orchestras have a lot of after-school practices to prepare for the concerts. Really, to make a concert a success, it’s just how much ever time you can get to practice. A lot of it happens outside of class with hours upon hours of practice,” he said.

Selin Oh, Camerata Orchestra member and sophomore, said, “I’m really excited because we’re playing a lot of holiday songs, and that’s pretty special because it just gets you into the holiday spirit and mood.”