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In this "holiday" episode of the Tompkins Orchestra podcast Vicky and Rithik interview David Michael Hyde, the composer of "Christmastide," a piece being commissioned by the Tompkins orchestra and choir.

Hyde shares that his love for the holiday inspired the piece, and the central message is a timely reminder "not to forget what it's truly all about" amid the busy holiday season. The lyrics are largely based on a public domain poem by Lahi Brown Allen, supplemented by a refrain and a bridge Hyde contributed.

Hyde discusses his creative process, which is influenced by his background in film scoring. He encourages aspiring student composers to "just start writing what you hear in your head" and to lean on music as a "friend". His ultimate goal is to inspire young people through his music

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It's Pie Day! Hosts Vicki and Rithik are joined by orchestra presidents and violin-playing seniors, Aimee and Jooni (Jooni, a.k.a. J-Dog), to dissect the most chaotic social of the year!

The seniors reveal the full Pie Day itinerary, which includes serving many awesome pies—like the highly anticipated matcha pie for all the "performative males" who bring their wired headphones, tote bags, and feminist literature.

Get ready for intense competition! Winners of four separate games will earn the prestigious honor of pie-ing either Ms, Marts, Mr. Porter, Jooni, or Aimee in the face. Learn about the games, plus, hear the essential advice for the balloon popping competition: wear your big shoes and "eat a lot of pie so you can increase of gravity" (F=ma)!

Beyond pie and shaving cream, the presidents drop some serious, spontaneous, and slightly questionable revelations. Hear Jooni discuss her "aura farming" jacket, Aimee share her thanks for her best friend Jooni, and listen to an impromptu rap attempt. Finally, the senior presidents discuss their dormant rock band, "The Cogs", and debate life's biggest questions—like when it's okay to make poop jokes and whether your GPA actually matters.

Don't miss the fun, the food, and the exposed secrets in this last Pie Day episode for the seniors!

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Join hosts Vicky and Rithik on the Tompkins Orchestra podcast as they welcome Stanford, a freshman piano player at Tomkins. This episode explores the unique experience of what it’s like to be a piano player in orchestra.

Stanford, who transitioned from playing violin in middle school, discusses the rewarding aspects of his new role, noting that while the piano supports the orchestra, its scarcity (usually only one or two pianists per orchestra) brings attention. Learn how orchestra pianists often serve as "filler," supporting the ensemble by playing instruments like the celesta, bells, organ, and triangle.

Stanford also provides insight into the high school region piano audition process, highlighting the difference between the competitive atmosphere of region violin and the smaller, more harmonious community of pianists. He emphasizes that the orchestra piano experience is unique, requires a strong focus on rhythm, and offers astronomically more opportunities than middle school piano

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