By Mia Occhino ’23
While the sounds and music of a theatrical production undoubtedly play a crucial role in its success, the creators of this sound may go unnoticed — or rather unappreciated. From the extravagant productions gracing the Broadway stage to the simpler (but no less important) endeavors of high school theatre programs, members of the pit band are tasked with providing the backbone of a performance, and enriching the atmosphere in a way that pre-recorded scores often lack.
I was recruited by BHS’s pit band director, Mr. Costa, to play the violin in this year’s spring musical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. When he first approached me about joining, I was unsure of whether or not I wanted to. Frankly, I wasn’t even completely sure of what a pit band was.
I decided that it couldn’t hurt to try, and soon enough I was sitting at my first rehearsal, noticeably startled by the fast-paced progression through the pieces as well as the talent of the other members. In all honesty, I was not expecting as much work as I have been faced with. I hadn’t predicted the many hours I would spend in my basement, toiling away at the songs one by one and still experiencing slight shock at just how much practice that playing in a pit band entails.
As it is my first year in any sort of pit band, I am admittedly anxious for the production of Cinderella. Come late March, I hope that I will feel less stressed rather than increasingly overwhelmed, but from what I have heard about tech week (the week before the performance), that seems unlikely.
Despite my concern, I feel rewarded by the effort I have put in, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program. I have gained a newfound appreciation and respect for pit orchestras, and maybe the next time you find yourself sitting in the seats of an auditorium and hearing the music begin, you’ll feel the same.
