On the evening of April 25, several members of the BPHS German Club had an enriching cultural experience attending a special performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) at Heinz Hall.
The concert featured a lineup of German classical music and provided an opportunity for students to connect with musicians and conductors.
The concert, under the baton of PSO Music Director Manfred Honeck, was a night of firsts and memorable performances.
The program opened with Beethoven’s First Symphony, a foundational work that showcased the orchestra’s skill and the conductor’s leadership abilities.
Following this, the audience was shown a new composition by German composer Sophia Jani, who was personally present for the evening’s performance, adding a special touch of celebration to the event.
Highlighting the evening was the PSO debut of well-known pianist Vikingur Ólafsson, who performed Johannes Brahm’s Towering First Concerto.
In addition to the musical performances, the students had the unique opportunity to engage directly with the orchestra’s performers.
Before the concert, they met with the maestro, Manfred Honeck, an Austrian conductor known worldwide for his versions of classical music.
The students asked Honeck questions in both English and German, gaining insights into his conducting style and experiences working with the PSO.
The students also spoke with two of the orchestra’s talented violinists, Dylan Naroff and Vivian Lang.
These musicians shared personal methods for practicing and preparing for performances, offering advice and inspiring the students.
The BPHS group attended this event through the Central Valley High School German Club and their teacher, Mrs. Erica Kain.
Notably, both Mr. Tobias and Mrs. Kain are 1989 graduates of BPHS, having studied German under the guidance of Mr. Paul Dietrich.
This shared history and passion for the German language and culture created a connection between the two schools and their students.
Participating students included sophomores Adele Stamenov, Ashley Mason, Jude Nelis, Sydney Miller, Victoria Carberry, and Zoey Roberts from the Honors German III class.
As well, seniors Brady McKiernan and River Hendrych-Bondra from the AP German Language & Culture class were also present at the event.
This experience not only grew the students’ appreciation for German classical music but also provided them with a rare view into the world of professional musicians.
Attending the PSO’s performance at Heinz Hall was surely a spring highlight for these students.
As BPHS continues to promote culture, events like this serve as examples of the power of music in education.
