Junior Arianna Issitt, a violin player, is one of many band and orchestra musicians participating in the pit orchestra for “South Pacific” the school musical. The spring musical shows Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The pit orchestra has been preparing the music for months to perfect it for this weekend’s show. The musicians have been working with the actors and tech crew this past week during tech week.

“Tech week is really long, and takes a lot of time in the evening,” she said. “We practice from 5 to 9 everyday, and we run the show with all the actors. Even though it’s tough, it is still really fun. I enjoy feeling the energy of the show and getting to play with everyone.”

After many rehearsals separately, pit orchestra and the actors have faced some challenges during their rehearsals together.

“We just have to go to work with it and adjust when the actors skip a couple of lines or changes key,” Issit said. “Actors can be unpredictable and can sometimes do different things every time.”

Issitt said she feels prepared for the upcoming musical production.

“I’ve done pit since seventh grade, so I’ve experienced a lot of tech weeks,” she said. “In years past there have been some musicals where I felt we weren’t prepared, but for this show, I think we are in a pretty good place.”

Senior Joshua Boyer, a bass player, agreed with Issitt.

“I think we are in a pretty decent position in comparison with the actors and tech crew,” he said. “We all worked hard, and having rehearsal every day has made us all improve.”

Freshman Hanna Sheinman, a member of the tech crew, said she enjoys listening the live music.

“When I first heard the pit play, I thought it was the track because it was that good,” she said. “I can tell they all really worked hard to learn and perfect the music. I don’t particularly like the ‘South Pacific’ soundtrack, but hearing the pit orchestra play it makes me like it more.”

“South Pacific” consists of many popular songs such as “Bali Ha’i”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

“I love ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and ‘Bloody Mary,’”  Issitt said. “But in terms of playing, I really like to play ‘Bali Ha’i.’”

Boyer has his own favorite songs from the musical.

“‘Honey Buns is pretty good,’” he said. “‘I’m Gonna Was That Man Right Outa My Hair‘ is my personal favorite, because in the bass part, right before the dance bit, it says ‘Ride It.’ It’s just really fun to play.”

By Haley Alvarez-Lauto