By Jesika Henson
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One’s senior year may be a time for reminiscing and celebrating, however, there is still work to be done, especially for those in the music program. This year’s seniors will be performing an original piece, titled “The Final Distance,” written and composed by Senior Tyler Ono.
“The true purpose of the Senior Ensemble, in my opinion, is for the seniors of each class to basically show off what they have accomplished while in the music program. In the past and especially this year, we’ve had some very talented seniors compose or arrange a piece for the current seniors in the band, orchestra and chorus classes to play for the Spring Concert,” said Junior Daniel Nakayama, who is heir apparent for the writing of next year’s ensemble.
Ono and his fellow seniors decided on a Disney theme. Ono’s piece is a Disney medley, featuring songs from Hercules, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Frozen. “Well, everyone likes Disney,” said Ono, “So the idea that this could be inspirational and easily recognizable would make a good theme (for the ensemble).”
As a student studying music theory and composition, Ono used many techniques he had learned in class to blend the songs together seamlessly. “I took the main themes from each song and I put them together by using techniques like modulation,” said Ono, “I did put more emphasis on different instruments in different songs because each instrument’s timbre is different and unique.”
Ono spent a month on the writing phase, going through many drafts and constantly checking his work. “All the songs had some sort of draft (that) I had to go through. I don’t have a specific number because there were so many,” said Ono, “Mr. Ishii was the person who checked my work the most. This made the ensemble more performable and balanced.” Now, Ono is in the process of preparing the seniors for the performance. “I feel like it’s not over yet, because I still have a couple of months to prepare the actual seniors to actually perform it and make it sound really good,” said Ono.
This year’s class is under the leadership of one who is determined to put the performance together. “(Ono’s) very driven,” said Ono’s Composition teacher and Choral Director Keane Ishii, “He takes the compositions, he writes them quickly and beautifully and I tell him ‘Why don’t you think about this and this?’ and he’ll take any suggestion I have.”
The Spring Concert will be held on May 11 at the Pearl City Cultural Center.
