On Saturday December 6th, five ILS students were chosen to perform with the Miami-Dade Honors music program. These students were freshmen Sophia Blanco, Danae Georgiadis, Caesar Cartaya De la Rosa, as well as sophomore Alvaro Amat and junior Pablo Amat. 

The students auditioned last Wednesday after school and all managed to get really high chair placement. Sophia, Danae, and Alvaro all made it to first Violins in the honors string ensemble.

Pablo made it to baking solo guitarist in the Jazz Band and Caesar got second chair in the tuba section.

These students started rehearsing Thursday and had the concert on Saturday meaning they only had three days to prepare for the concert.

The String Ensemble played Mozart Divertimento in F major and an arrangement of various songs by the Beatles. They were conducted by concert mistress Sophia Blanco.

The Band played another arrangement of the Caribbean and a world premiere of a piece titled Black Hole which was composed for that specific event.

The Jazz Band played No Matter, Shoreline Drive, Frim Fram Sauce, and On the Street Where You Leave. 

The concert was a success and they managed to get 600 people at the event and about 120 students playing. They also had the Miami-Dade Band, as guest performers, play 1st Suite in Eb by Gustav Holst. The event took place in Miami Dade Kendall Campus.

Mr. Alicandu, one of ILS’s music teachers, coordinated the event for the Royal Lions.

“I am proud of the students work ethic throughout the weekend,” Mr. Alicandu said. “This is going to prepare them to be all-state musicians.”

The Band program at ILS continues to grow and have great success. Anyone interested in joining the program can reach out to Mr. Alicandu via email: aalicandu@ilsroyals.com.