On December 4, some spectacular Branford High School (BHS) string instrumentalists were part of a four-town Holiday String Spectacular that brought 120 high school players together with college orchestra players and their conductor.

Eleven BHS players joined students in grades 8 through 12 from the towns of Meriden, Middletown and New Britain. The secondary students then combined their talents with undergraduate members of Central Connecticut State University's (CCSU) Sinfonietta for a concert conducted by CCSU professor Dr. Julie Ribchinsky.

"It was a pleasure to watch the college students play and then play for ourselves," said Tony Tran, a BHS freshman cellist.

BHS freshman cello player Celia Shanley felt the chance practice with a large orchestra improved everyone's playing.

"I feel that it made us better at listening to the other parts and players," said Shanley.

BHS Band/Orchestra Director Mallory Legman said the day's musicians participated in sectional rehearsals and a full ensemble rehearsal before "...bonding over snacks and performing a concert together."

The 2016 Holiday String Spectacular orchestra filled the stage at Meriden's Maloney High School, Legman said.

"There were so many performers that almost everyone had to stand during the performance because the stage was 'standing room only,'" said Legman.

BHS sophomore violinist Manik Soomro said joining the performance was "a great experience."

"I think it was a great experience because I got to play with a big orchestra that's larger than our group," said Soomro.