On Monday night Cathedral High School hosted the orchestra and jazz band annual winter concert. The result of months of patience, repetition, and trust between students and their director displayed on stage. The orchestra and jazz band came together to highlight growth, focus, and confidences earned since August.
Led by orchestra and jazz band director Steve Goodman, the orchestra performed Midnight Rain, Allegro, and Evening Sun, with the jazz band joining for select pieces. Each performance reflected a commitment to precision and musicality rather than volume or flash.
Goodman described the concert as a success built on long-term preparation. “The music was challenging,” Goodman said. “But the students put in a lot of work on fundamentals, and that discipline carried over into how they performed on stage.”
Rather than overwhelming students with a large number of songs, Goodman intentionally limited the program to allow for deeper refinement. That focus became especially clear during moments that tested the ensemble’s composure. During one piece, the orchestra faced a brief time adjustment, but the moment did not disrupt the group. The orchestra stayed composed, followed the conductor, and carried the piece forward with confidence.
“We didn’t panic,” said Senior Lilah Hern ‘26. “We stayed focused on Mr.Goodman and kept going, I don’t think the audience even noticed.”
For Hern, the night carried extra weight. Monday’s performance marked her final Christmas concert after four years in the Cathedral orchestra.
“It was surreal being up there as a senior,” Hern said. “I’ve been in the orchestra all four years, and I’ve loved it. Seeing how much we’ve grown made the night really special.”
That growth, Hern said, came from learning when to lead and when to listen. ”Mr. Goodman has given seniors opportunities to step into leadership,” she said. “That helped me grow not just as a musician, but as someone who supports the rest of the group.”
Junior cellist Lyla Cunningham ‘27 also felt that growth throughout the performance. She described the concert as one of her strongest yet. “It honestly felt really good,” Cunningham said. “I’m for sure it was one of my best concerts so far!”
Her favorite moment came during Midnight Rain, which featured a rare cello melody that stood out from the rest of the program. “That part doesn’t happen often for cellos,” Cunningham said. “It was really beautiful, playing it felt special to me.” Cunningham said rehearsing Evening Sun was especially challenging, particularly when practicing without the jazz band, but the experience pushed her to trust her skills.
“I became more confident in my playing,” she said. “Some of the music really challenged me in a good way.
For Goodman, that confidence was evident across the stage. “The focus was incredible,” Goodman said. “They were watching, listening, and reacting together. That kind of attention takes time to build.”
As the final notes settled and applause filled the room, the concert stood as more than a seasonal performance. It was a reflection of steady work, leadership, and the kind of trust that allows musicians to recover, adapt, and keep playing.
And for the students on stage, it was proof that the work done long before the spotlight ever turned on truly mattered.
