[Students Reporters] The Von Trapp Family Returns!
Angela Oh/11th, Crescenta Valley High School
"The hills are alive with the sound of music" sings Crescenta Valley High School's very own Maria Rainer Grace Yoo.
Since its debut in November of 1959 The Sound of Music has been and continues to be one of the most loved and popular musicals of all time. Based on the memoir by Maria von Trapp The Story of the Trapp Family Singers The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rogers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. "The music and lyrics of the songs touch the hearts of those who are fortunate enough to listen "states senior Daphne Cho a member of the pit orchestra.
The musical follows the story of Maria Rainer a postulant at the Nonnberg Abbey who is sent to the von Trapp home to serve as governess to the seven children. Cho continues "most people don't realize that The Sound of Music also has a deep political story behind it" The tensions in Austria in the late 1930's before the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany are portrayed in the musical as the von Trapp family tries to escape the grasps of the Nazis. As they sing "Climb Every Mountain" they are proclaiming an escape from tyranny. In the midst of all of the politics is a story of love. The music and set all enhance the experience of watching and listening to the musical.
Junior Yoon Lee comments "it's amazing that high school students with different talents can come together to produce a work of art." Approximately one hundred students have in some shape or form contributed to the production of the musical at Crescenta Valley High School. This year there are also quite a few Korean American students involved serving as members of the cast pit orchestra and stage crew.
It's definitely a lot of hard work and commitment but it feels wonderful to take part in such a fun and beautiful project." Junior Han Byul Kang who is in charge of the sound system which includes the microphones speakers and monitors stated that he "didn't know it was going to be so much work but it was worth it because I got to see what really goes into making a musical." As a member of the cast junior David Kim who plays the role of Friedrich von Trapp got a completely different experience during the production of the musical: "at first I only wanted to do the musical because my friends were but as time went on I formed new friendships with my Sound of Music family. It [being in the musical] was one of the best things I have ever done because it gave me an opportunity to meet new people and to explore the world of musicals."
The Sound of Music is and will continue to be the quintessential musical of all time. Now the hills come alive once again but this time at Crescenta Valley High School. Regardless of the part that one played in the production of The Sound of Music all agree that it was a wonderful experience that will be cherished forever.