Fine Arts

The Hanks Orchestra’s Falloween Concert Fills the Auditorium with Spooky Sounds

by Keana Rubio, Class of 2029

October 23, 2025 - The Hanks High School auditorium was filled with an eerie excitement as the school's orchestra presented its annual "Falloween" concert. On a crisp evening, the Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity orchestras took the audience on a musical journey through spooky tales and adventurous themes. 

The Junior Varsity orchestra took the stage first, immediately captivating the audience with their diverse repertoire. They began with a medley of themes from the famed composer "Danny Elfman," known for his iconic film scores such as “Beetlejuice” and the “Corpse Bride.” Following this, the JV group presented a haunting interpretation of "The Tell-Tale Heart," capturing the suspense and dark undertones of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale. They closed their set with "Haunted Carnival," a playful yet spooky piece that brought a sense of eerie fun to the concert. The JV orchestra demonstrated their growth and dedication, proving themselves to be a talented and promising ensemble.

The Varsity orchestra followed, beginning their performance with "Swamp Things," a composition that evoked the murky depths and hidden creatures of the bayou. The skillful execution brought vivid imagery to life through music. The orchestra then transitioned into a rousing rendition of "Pirates of the Caribbean," instantly setting an adventurous tone. The familiar and beloved theme filled the auditorium, transporting listeners to the high seas with its dynamic arrangement. The Varsity orchestra's mastery was on full display, making for a memorable performance.

As the final notes faded and the applause filled the auditorium, it was clear that the "Falloween" concert was a resounding success. The combined talents of the Junior Varsity and Varsity orchestras created an unforgettable evening of music, perfectly capturing the spirit of the season. The students, under the direction of Ms. Caraveo, demonstrated not only their musical abilities but also their passion for performance. The concert served as a testament to the thriving arts program here at Hanks High School and left the audience eagerly anticipating their next performance.

The Hanks Orchestra Shares Familiar Sounds of the Season

by Keana Rubio, Class of 2029

Ms. Caraveo conducts the JM Hanks Orchestra, who were decked out in festive colors for the occassion.

December 16, 2025 - The Hanks High School auditorium radiated warmth and festive spirit as the school's orchestra presented its annual Christmas concert. On a cozy evening, the Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity orchestras took the audience on a heartwarming musical journey through holiday classics and joyful melodies. The concert was a delightful showcase of the students' talent and dedication.

The Junior Varsity orchestra began the evening, immediately enchanting the audience with their cheerful repertoire. They started with a spirited rendition of "Jingle Bells," filling the auditorium with the familiar and beloved tune. Following this, the JV group presented a nostalgic performance of music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," capturing the whimsical and heartwarming essence of the iconic holiday special. They concluded their set with "Holiday Shortcuts," a medley featuring "Sleigh Ride," "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree," "Let It Snow," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," bringing a burst of festive energy to the concert. The JV orchestra demonstrated their enthusiasm and skill, proving themselves to be a talented and spirited ensemble.

The Varsity orchestra followed, beginning their performance with "Christmas Eve Sarajevo" a powerful and moving composition that blended traditional carols with rock elements. The skillful execution created a dynamic and emotional experience. The orchestra then transitioned into "A Christmas Festival," a medley of classic Christmas carols that celebrated the joy and spirit of the season. The familiar and beloved melodies filled the auditorium, creating a sense of unity and cheer. The Varsity orchestra's mastery was on full display, making for a truly memorable performance.

As the final notes faded and the applause filled the auditorium, it was clear that the Christmas concert was a resounding success. The combined talents of the Junior Varsity and Varsity orchestras created an unforgettable evening of music, perfectly capturing the spirit of the season. Once again the students, under the direction of Ms. Caraveo, demonstrated not only their musical abilities but also their passion for performance. The concert left the audience filled with holiday cheer and anticipation for their next performance.

Wizard of Oz at the Kingdom

by By Anna Ortiz Zazueta, Class of 2026

Knight Players on final rehearsal

September 24, 2025 - The Wizard of Oz is a story that is familiar to everyone. There are several adaptations of The Wizard of Oz, including its famous 1939 movie and various Broadway shows. All adaptations of The Wizard of Oz are based on Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The Broadway show first opened on March 1, 2011, in the West End of London, and was directed by Jeremy Sams. As the Wizard of Oz Broadway show took place in various locations throughout the world, such as Toronto and Australia, the show had finally arrived in the kingdom of Hanks. It became a sensation within the local community. The show’s auditions and first rehearsals began in August and lasted through November, with the show finally opening on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Several participants showed up to their first audition; however, only a few stayed until the end of production. 

During the beginning of production, it was necessary to read through the script, make some cuts, and establish the crew. Much of the beginning involved setting up the building, team building, and figuring out various aspects of the play, such as where actors would appear on stage and what they would be acting. It was a long process that spanned four months, and at some point, they fell behind schedule due to the numerous tasks that needed to be completed. A few actors had their roles switched throughout the process; however, most stayed with their assigned role from the beginning. A lot of work was put into the set design. Every crew member had to contribute to the show's success. A lot of work was put into the Wizard of Oz’s head, since crew members had to find a template for a face, map out the face’s proportions to translate it into large-scale, and use a papier-mache technique to sculpt everything together. While the head was the most challenging set piece, it is also the one that everyone is most proud of. 

There were a few struggles with figuring out the yellow brick road and the set for most scenes, such as the Emerald City, the tin man’s forest, and the witch’s castle. A lot of panels and pieces were used for multiple scenes, such as the middle panel backstage that was used for Tin Man’s forest and the Wicked Witch’s castle. There had to be a lot of improvisation during the show and production, as seen when something unexpectedly falls or breaks. Actors would have to think quickly on stage for the show to go on, and the crew would have to glue broken pieces together before the next scene. This indeed happened on a show day with the winged monkey’s wings. Some had broken while the show was ongoing, and as a result, the crew had to scramble to find a way to fix them. While many unexpected things happened during the show, everyone stayed calm and improvised professionally. 

The show has achieved considerable success during its three-day run, with many reviews praising the set design and the actor’s charm. Even the superintendent from the district came to watch the show and claimed it was fantastic. Overall, the show has received positive feedback from the public, and now the cast and crew can finally bring this show to a close. As a knight player tradition, there was a post-mortem for The Wizard of Oz. This is a small presentation in class on where knight players reflect on the good, bad, and what needs to be improved during the show. It’s where they reflect on how the show was perceived, and what errors can be avoided next time. Overall, everyone simultaneously agreed that The Wizard of Oz was a memorable show that will surely be remembered.