Orchestra Friends: Squeals, Groans, Off-Beat Rhythms

Squeals, groans, and off-beat rhythms describe the instrument sounds when fifteen-year-old Sebastian and his diverse group of high school orchestra friends have not practiced.

The words also depict the chaos in their lives as they struggle to prepare for their school's Extravaganza concert. Sebastian does not like for his friends to ask him to keep their secrets. He just wants to play football and play his bass violin. Most of the school year, Alex, one of the percussionists, is threatened by two thugs. A new girl schemes to get Megan's piccolo solo. Bruce, a trumpet player, struggles to stay awake in orchestra class. For health reasons, the doctor placed Keneshia, a piano prodigy, on a diet. Ben, who plays violin, thinks his friends do not know his carefully guarded secret.