On December 9, 2025, Heritage’s music classes performed their small ensembles. Mr. Evan Allenson, the orchestra and band director, says, “The main point [of small ensembles] is the way you approach a small ensemble is very different from a large ensemble. In a small group, you have to take more responsibility and weight. Students end up gaining skills by taking up those skills.”
This year, the performances varied incredibly, ranging from Christmas songs to pop culture legends.
Faith Valdez ‘27, Ash Sherman ‘27, and Abby Jensen ‘28 were part of one group that performed “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. “We found it online, and it seemed really fun, and we all like Disney, so we were like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it’,” said Sherman. Before performing, Valdez claims, “I think we were really prepared, since we practiced a lot,” and post-performance, she adds, “I think we did amazing. That was the best we played, so we’re really proud about that.”
Another group, much larger, included nine total performers, and they played “Christmas Medley,” or better known as, “Jingle Bell Rock.” Tyler Brown ‘28, recalls, “We could’ve prepared better. We did good in the last week or two of practice, it was just really late.” After their performance, Morgan Bacerra ‘28 says, “I think we did really well. We could have just played louder, though.”
Ozie Dressel ‘27 was not only a performer but also an arranger of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. They say, “I think we could have prepared better. More of, in just a hypocritical music way, we could have done better. But I also think, in general, it was really good.” Following their performance, they state, “I think we did about as average as we usually do. Just a few mess-ups here and there, but nothing major.”
In summary, based on performance quality and performers’ opinions, this year’s small ensembles concert went just about as well as one would expect.