The Hays High School Music Department performed its first concert of the year in the brand-new Performing Arts Center on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Both orchestras, both choirs and several band students all worked together to play one, 45-minute symphony, written by orchestra instructor Brayden Smith.

Smith composed the song alongside Catherine Trieschmann, working together to write the music and the lyrics over the span of a year and a half.

“I really like the song,” senior Lizzy Vajnar said. “It’s almost like a puzzle, where we all work together and create a beautiful sound.”

The song has four different movements, or parts, to it, almost like a story the musicians are telling their audience. It was inspired by “The Wizard of Oz,” which was beloved by both the musicians and the audience.

“Watching this performance, I felt moved beyond words, especially knowing that our own young orchestra teacher composed the piece, and our incredibly talented students brought the notes to life,” teacher Kathy Wagoner said.

This was the first concert performed in the new venue, which sparked quite a large crowd for the musicians to play for. The auditorium was nearly full of students, staff, parents and community members, all excited to hear the performance.

“It is a beautiful space, and the sound is lovely,” Smith said. “The students do amazing work and deserve recognition for it. It was a historic night for the program and the school.”

26lbutler@usd489.com