For about five years, the Greenhill orchestra has been performing its “Bach Bash” to celebrate the life and works of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Typically, the event is held on Bach’s actual birthday, March 21, but because of spring break, it was held on March 25 this year. The entire program is Bach music, which, as Nick Paraskevas, Middle and Upper School strings teacher said, “there is lots and lots of [his music] that is appropriate for such an event.”

Sophomore Russell Houston takes a deep breath and as his bow glides over the strings, he begins to play the Dvorak cello concerto. He then looks at the clock and realizes it is time to go to school.

Every morning Russell wakes up at 6 a.m. to practice cello for two hours before getting to school by 9 and has two lessons a week.

Although his competition season has finished and he received grand prize at multiple competitions, Russell is training for upcoming concerts.

“[The Dvorak] is such a grand piece, with so much feeling behind the music,” he said. “Technically it’s very challenging, but it’s also very beautiful and meaningful at the same time. I heard the piece when I was really young and fell in love with it right then.”