On Monday, Oct. 29, Hays High School’s orchestras played at Fort Hays’s Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center, with a Fall Concert that showcased the young musicians’ talents under the direction of Brayden Smith.

The Concert Orchestra played three pieces, including “Declarations” by Jeffery Bishop, “Home on the Range” and “Fiddles of Fire.”

“It was fun being on stage, playing good music and listening to other musicians,” grade Asher Green, the Concert Orchestra’s sole bassist, said. “We also had a good crowd that night.”

The concert also included the Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra.

Philharmonic Orchestra’s songs included “Spirit of the American West” by Soon Hee Newbold and “An American Folk Symphony” by Jeffery Bishop.

Chamber Orchestra brought their own array of talents to the table with the songs, “Hoe Down from Rodeo” by Aaron Copland, “October” by Eric Whitacre and “Grit” by Lauren Spavelko.

Finally, there was the Symphony Orchestra. Their songs included “Go West,” arranged by Ralph Ford, “Variations on a Shaker Melody” by Aaron Copland and “Declaration Overture” by Claude T. Smith.

The Fall Concert was well attended by students, parents and community members, all of whom got to see the hard work and talent of Hays High School’s young musicians.