Tuning Into Tompkins Orchestras

Tompkins HS Orchestra Officers led by Vicky CC

Dive into the world of music with us as we spotlight the talented musicians of Tompkins High School. Each episode, we'll bring you behind the scenes with exclusive interviews, and captivating stories, from our dynamic orchestras. Discover the passion and dedication that drives our students, from rehearsals and performances to special events and milestones. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a student, or just curious about high school orchestras, our podcast offers an insider’s view into the rhythms and harmonies that shape our community.Podcast Host: Vicky & RithikEditor: Vicky & PorterProducer: Mr. Porter

Episodes

  1. JAN 22

    The Old Man, The Old Moon, and even Stranger Things!

    Send us a text Step inside the creative world of the Tomkins Theater Company in this latest episode of the Tomkins Orchestra podcast. Host Vicky sits down with the cast and crew of the unique production, The Old Man and The Old Moon, to discuss the magic—and the chaos—behind the scenes. Listeners will get an inside look at the latest TTC production, where the story of a moon-obsessed man and his adventurous wife comes to life through original music and shadow puppetry. The guests share fascinating details about their process, including: The "Foley" Table: Discover how the team creates every sound effect live, from splashing water to a dying rooster, without a single pre-recorded track.Character Secrets: Hear how the actors used "animal exercises" to develop their roles, resulting in a cast that moves like lions, chimps, and even owls.The "Oatmeal" Incident: Get the hilarious and "disgusting" story behind the stage food that evolved from plain oatmeal to include chicken fingers, M&Ms, and even expired spicy chips to elicit genuine reactions from the actors.Whether you are interested in the unified collaboration between theater and orchestra kids or want to hear about the high-stakes pressure of a first lead role, this episode offers a "magical" glimpse into the dedication it takes to put on a show. Tune in to hear why the cast believes "there are no small parts" and why everyone should experience the "iceberg" of theater at least once. Support the show Follow us on Insta @tompkinsorchestras

    46 min
  2. 10/06/2025

    Audition Season - Getting a "Juicy Vibrato"

    Send us a text In this archival episode of the Tuning into Tomkins Orchestra's podcast (from 2024), we welcome Tompkins' graduated senior Mr. Jake Jiang, a four-time region orchestra member and three-time all-state musician. Jake joins the host and co-host Vicki to tackle one of music's toughest challenges: performance anxiety and choking moments during high-stakes auditions. Jake admits that nervousness is a natural feeling when you care about something, but he shares how focusing on the shared feeling of nervousness among competitors can alleviate stress. Learn Jake's philosophy for turning nervous energy into "excellent" music. He advises musicians to concentrate on the musical aspect, focusing on sound quality ("tone") and expression, rather than getting caught up in technical details like shifting. The ultimate goal is making music and sharing the joy of it. When performing, Jake focuses on getting that "juicy vibrato," stressing the importance of looking at the "big picture". We also explore handling inevitable setbacks. Jake explains that when a mistake occurs during a performance, a musician must compress the "five stages of grief" into a single second and "move on," a concept he relates to the "fleeting nature of life". Tune in to hear Jake’s wisdom; a blend of musical and life philosophy that applies not just to orchestra auditions, but to job interviews and other fearful occasions. Support the show Follow us on Insta @tompkinsorchestras

    32 min
  3. 09/18/2025

    From Sin Bunny to Sunburns - A Social Symphony

    Send us a text Join hosts Vicky and Rithik as they welcome special guests Fiona and Andrew for a hilariously winding recap of the Tompkins High School Orchestra's social events! This episode dives into the behind-the-scenes antics and memorable moments from the Post Rally, Buddy Social, and Car Wash, with a sneak peek at upcoming events like the International Food Fest, Pie Day, Halloween Social, and White Elephant. Listen in as they recount the chaos of the Poster Rally with "too many posters" and "really, really long paper" creating a planning nightmare. Discover the incredible artistic talent of the orchestra, from Aimee's detailed Superman poster to The Batman-themed cello poster, and the clever wordplay behind the "Sin Bunny" Sinfonia poster. The Buddy Social gets a full breakdown, including Andrew's "drill sergeant" loyalty tests during the "Lifeboat" game, and the surprisingly popular fidget spinners given as prizes. Hear their proposals for future calm games, like a never-ending Uno tournament, though not everyone agrees on that vision! The high-energy Car Wash provides some of the episode's biggest laughs, from Rithik "hogging the hose" and spraying everyone, to Andrew's infamous sunburn incident and the hosts debating if water causes sunburn. Tune in for all that and much more! This episode promises to be, as the hosts declare, "the most on track episode we've had so far" – full of fun, insights, and perhaps a few new definitions! Support the show Follow us on Insta @tompkinsorchestras

    43 min
  4. 09/12/2025

    The One Where the Hosts Got it Wrong

    Send us a text Join Vicky and Rithik on the Tompkins Orchestras Podcast as they welcome junior violinist Melinda and sophomore violist Yuna to discuss TV show scores. Inspired by the Emmys, this episode explores the powerful impact of music on our favorite series. The quartet dives into diverse scores, from the iconic cello work in Wednesday by Danny Elfman to the K-pop hit "Love Maybe" by Melomance from Business Proposal. They explore the "impending" and tone-setting music of shows like Severance and the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor, praising how scores can shape an entire narrative. Sitcoms like Young Sheldon and The Office are discussed for their comedic timing and memorable themes, alongside adrenaline-pumping music in Invincible and the evolving themes of Attack on Titan. The conversation also highlights the narrative power of music in cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and Bluey, and the "insanely good" score of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Lyrical songs like Imagine Dragons' "Enemy" from Arcane and the grand theme of Game of Thrones are also celebrated for carrying their respective series. Initially lamenting the perceived lack of Emmy recognition for scores, the hosts soon discover their mistake, leading to a humorous realization about the actual music categories and shaping the episode's title: "The One Where the Hosts Got it Wrong". Tune in to hear why music is considered "half of what makes it so good" and how it truly deserves its accolades. Support the show Follow us on Insta @tompkinsorchestras

    31 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Dive into the world of music with us as we spotlight the talented musicians of Tompkins High School. Each episode, we'll bring you behind the scenes with exclusive interviews, and captivating stories, from our dynamic orchestras. Discover the passion and dedication that drives our students, from rehearsals and performances to special events and milestones. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a student, or just curious about high school orchestras, our podcast offers an insider’s view into the rhythms and harmonies that shape our community.Podcast Host: Vicky & RithikEditor: Vicky & PorterProducer: Mr. Porter