By Kaylee Eiber & Tyler Lau,
News Editor & Staff Writer
At the sharp intake of cellist Joaquin Haro breath, the ISH Concept launches into their next piece. Whether it be in their hometown of Pasadena or in the ornate Royal Academy of Music in London, ‘the orchestra that doesn’t fit into a box’ enchants every audience with its engaging stage presence and dramatic dynamics.
Seniors Tiffany Cai, Joaquin Haro, Noah Shifter; juniors Kayson Chen, Elizabeth Hung, Owen Su; and sophomores Benny Haro and Sarah Shifter represent TCHS in ISH.
Drawing students from the San Gabriel Valley, ISH is an orchestral collaboration that aims to reimagine music, combining freedom and fun with valuable leadership, collaboration and critical thinking skills. ISH provides learning opportunities for students to not only improve as musicians but to also grow as people.
“I want the students to understand musical excellence is easily translated to excellence in other areas of life,” Artistic Director and ISH founder Anna Lim said. “I hope that all the students who come through the program will have a better sense of themselves so that they can lead and encourage those who are around them and grow comfortable taking up that mantle in both small and large settings. I want them to become leaders to make this world a better place.”
ISH traveled across the world for experiences such as a masterclass coaching session at the famous London Symphony Orchestra, performances for preschoolers in Tokyo and busking on the streets of San Francisco. They hold open rehearsals, biannual concerts and jam sessions, where all musicians are invited to sight read and play music. ISH also provides services such as music lessons, orchestral tutorials and gig performances.
After teaching at the Pasadena music conservatory, conducting Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra’s String Orchestra, directing band and strings at San Gabriel Christian School and teaching String Technique at Azusa Pacific University as an adjunct professor, Lim launched ISH in 2017 to address missing components in traditional rehearsals.
“ISH is so unique because you get the orchestra experience of having a bunch of parts all coming together,” junior Elizabeth Hung said. “I think the people are the best part of ISH. I was pretty intimidated by everyone at first but then I found everyone to be super welcoming and helpful.”
ISH recruits student musicians from local high schools including Temple City, Arcadia, Gabrielino, Glendora and Flintridge Prep. Although ISH is invite-exclusive, prospective members can receive a recommendation from a private music teacher or contact Lim or another ISH member directly. Potential members are invited to participate in open rehearsals where the rehearsals serve as an evaluation of whether to extend an invitation to the member based on synergy, musical ability and willingness to engage.
The next open rehearsal is on April 16. The Spring concert on April 29 will introduce next year’s newest members.
“My responsibility for the group is to create a safe and enjoyable space to explore new ideas,” Lim said. “One motto we have is to be ‘comfortable being uncomfortable’. My job is to create opportunities to be ‘uncomfortable,’ because those are the moments when we grow the most.”