The orchestra’s astronomical performance of the semester, entitled “Planets,” which features songs that descriptively represent each individual planet, is a must-see show, according to Music Director, Professor James Song.

With 80 total members to the orchestra, “Planets,” written by Gustav Holst, will bring the Performing Arts stage to life and leave audience members in complete and total awe. The songs being played will be quite recognizable to listeners, simply because they have been used in so many settings (including movies and TV shows), said Song.

“It is not likely that a community college will have a performance of this magnitude,” stated Song. “It is a difficult composition for any orchestra to perform and for a community college orchestra to present, it is a monumental task.”

“Planets” characterizes each planet in our solar system; making each individual planet a representation through sound. As the music is being played, it will paint a picture in audience members’ minds of how Holst understood the planets.

Mike Bernard, a principal oboist, and member of the orchestra for 13 years, commented on how diverse “Planets” truly is.

“[It starts out] extremely velvety and luscious, emotional and rich,” said Bernard. “Then a complete change of pace happens between the winds and brass. Two major sections of the orchestra are highlighted at the beginning.”

The orchestra has been rehearsing “Planets” for most of the semester and hopes to make the seven movements of the composition sound as full and clear as possible.

“This has been months in the planning,” said Bernard. “Special times require special acknowledgments and this is on of those times.”

Although “Planets” is the special theme of the night, the strings will perform the “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, and the winds will perform the “First Suite in E-Flat” by Gustav Holst.

The orchestra will have one of their most challenging, yet colorful shows on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.