As the final note of Ashokan Farewell echoed through the concert hall, the silence and stillness that followed soon led to a thunderous applause from the audience.
The first ever Orchestra Alumni Concert took place on May 19th, 2026, but months of planning led up to the emotional performance. Andrea von Oeyen, orchestra teacher at Oyster River High School (ORHS), had been planning and preparing for the celebration of 12 years of the orchestra program she and the music department have worked to build. Between coordinating with music teachers, administration, alumni, rehearsing with the current high school orchestra, and preparing for the senior’s final concert, von Oeyen and her colleagues came together to put on a memorable event. The first ever alumni concert in the 12-year history of the orchestra program was a tear-inducing performance, and created memories that will last for years to come.
The orchestra played three pieces of music that had become meaningful to the program’s history: Fire Dance, Yesterday, and Ashokan Farewell. Each piece carried significant memories that relate to the years previous, especially Ashokan Farewell, which has made its return many times, especially during the difficult years COVID-19 brought to the community.
The music and community that came together was something Georgia Leone (’28) was grateful for. Although there was concern about the final product coming together with the lack of rehearsal time, Leone says, “Seeing it come to life was amazing… it was really powerful to see how the program has grown and to see all the people who have been inspired by the music program here and felt motivated to come back.”
Ulysses Smith (‘25) graduated just a year ago, but never thought he would be back in the high school orchestra he loved so much again. Smith says, “It was just great to be back playing my instrument again, orchestra was one of my two favorite parts of high school.”
The orchestra began with only six people 12 years ago and has since grown to over 200 students all the way from fifth to twelfth grade. One of the original members was Owen Ammann (‘17) who traveled all the way from Chicago to take part in the concert. “It was so nostalgic having Mrs. von Oeyen conduct,” he said. “I felt a really cool energy I haven’t felt in so long.”
Another original member of the orchestra, Micah Kelly (‘18) said it was amazing to be back. He has since focused on other instruments such as a guitar, but the orchestra has always been a part of his life. Kelly said the concert was, “like a trip down memory lane.”
Oyster River Middle School’s (ORMS) concert hall was fuller than ever, bringing together generations of people connected to the Oyster River music program. Some members of the audience came to watch the group of musicians for the first time, and some have seen so many they’ve lost count. Regardless, the community was there for each other. Smith says, “It was pretty cool to see my parents and friends up in the audience. I always felt like music was a way to bring people together.”
Fire Dance, Yesterday, and Ashokan Farewell serve as a farewell to the graduating seniors, and a hello for the alumni. “I think concerts are places where it doesn’t matter in that moment what’s happening outside of that place,” von Oeyen says, “you can just really get in touch with what makes us human.”
-Bel Ejarque
visuals courtesy of Thea Smith
Mouth of the River 
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