By Felipe Espericueta
Although known to other Arizona schools for its high-level academic programs and competitive sports teams, Tempe Prep also features an incredible number of talented musicians. At the high-school level, Tempe Preparatory Academy has adopted several different forms of music, and it recently featured a theatrical side.
On Jan. 12, Sinfonia, the chamber orchestra of TPA, and Cantamus, the choir of TPA, performed their own theatrical 
arrangements of selections from famous Broadway works and several operas. A scrumptious and delectable three-course meal accompanied the concert as well.
The two conductors of Cantamus and Sinfonia, Dr. Wolfe and Mrs. Wilkison respectively, worked tirelessly to create an outstanding production. When asked why she chose certain pieces, Mrs. Wilkison replied, “ I thought about doing Chorus of the Street Boys during the summer and decided on it because it has an easy major key with accompaniment along with a choir.” She and Dr. Wolfe also agreed on Haydn’s Symphony 94, ‘Surprise’. Mrs. Wilkison has enjoyed performing these pieces many times in her career. In addition to having a fondness for these works, she thought it practical to include the Surprise symphony, since it has a regional excerpt for the first violins. This choice provided an advantage to her students participating in this year’s regional competition.
As to next year’s program, Mrs. Wilkison has not given it much thought, except to say that she would like for Sinfonia to perform Danse Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saens. This piece is similar to a past performance named Danse Macabre, also by Saint-Saens.
For affirmation Mrs. Wilkison looks to her students’ appreciation of their performance as a measure of her success. She is devoted to the musicians’ development and wants to know that they value the common effort at producing a successful concert.
As to the students involved in “On Broadway,” their performance displayed their dedication to the music, Mrs. Wilkison and Dr. Wolfe’s direction, and enjoyment of their art.
