At the Grades 6–12 Orchestra Concert on December 5, students performed a string arrangement of the 1812 Overture. 

As a follow-up, students and faculty participated in a collaborative “Lunchtime Presentation and Discussion” in which music student and enthusiast Robby Gette ’24 (pictured), Upper School English teacher Richard Harris, and English 11 students offered added insight on the historical significance of the 1812 Overture. The group discussed the music, the pyrrhic victory of Napoleon's battle with Russia, the Romantic composer's ironic nationalism, and the musical allusion in Dead Poets Society. The ‘mystery’ behind Tchaikovsky's death was also discussed! Assistant Orchestra Director Laci Wargo described, “This is such a wonderful way to see cross-curricular work enriching the lives of our students through collaboration in our Upper School!”