Student musicians will be lending their talents to Holy Trinity Academy's production of West Side Story this week.

In addition to the 50 cast members and 10 backstage crew, 20 students make up the pit band.

Grade 12 student Ava Gili, who's been playing the clarinet since Grade Six, says tackling West Side Story's challenging musical numbers was a great way for her to get involved in the production.

"I know it is more advanced than other musicals, at least that's what Mr. Kennedy has told us," Gili says. "It's really upbeat and fast in some parts and then it contrasts to the slow, melodious love songs."

HTA Band Teacher Martin Kennedy is the pit band director, with Wendy Doerksen and Daniel Hall as co-directors of the production. There are also 10 students who make up the backstage crew.

Gili says one of her favourite songs to play from West Side Story is called "Tonight," a love song and duet between main characters Tony and Maria.

She says there are some unique challenges to providing the musical accompaniment for performers onstage.

"It's definitely different than performing in band because (the performers) have to be showcased," Gili explains. "We're helping them to be better and so you always have to keep that in mind, I think it's important. But learning the actual music is the same, maybe you don't have the melody because that's for the singers, so you just have to learn how to adjust slightly and then it's fine."

She says the pit band has been rehearsing West Side Story's musical numbers since before Christmas in order to be ready for opening night.

"Aside from the actual story line being great, we've all been working so incredibly hard to put this out," Gili says. "And I don't think that our hard work is going to disappoint anyone."

HTA's production of West Side Story runs at 7 p.m. nightly from Thursday, March 15 until Saturday March 17. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on March 17.

For information on purchasing tickets, click here.

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