BY JAKE BRYANT

The week before Spring Break is usually one of the toughest; at this point in the year, months from the last full-length break, many students are barely clinging on to their academic motivation. Luckily, at Cary High this week still goes out with a bang; enter The Green Tie Gala, a vivacious celebration of all of the fine-arts happenings at Cary. Not only does this occasion bring students together from all over the school, it is also a vibrant beacon of art and culture in the larger community of Cary.

The Gala began in 2007 as a fundraiser for the newly-built 3000 building. Now part of a twelve-year-strong tradition, it is still the chief fundraiser for CHS Performing Arts Booster Club. However, that’s not all it is; the Gala is also a showcase of the immense talent and overwhelming creativity Cary’s students have to offer.

The 2019 Green Tie Gala offered a form of entertainment for everyone. Even before the show, eye-popping pieces of art from the CHS Visual Arts Department were on display, and the Culinary Academy provided delectable appetizers. The show kicked off with a performance from the Concert Chorus, followed by a performance from the Beginning Band. Then, several of Cary High’s smaller, yet just as illustrious, ensembles took the stage, including the CHS Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, Green Eggs & Jam, and CHS Improv. The night also featured several selections from the CHS Symphonic Band, as well as a medley of solo performances from Cary High’s astonishing (no bias here) spring musical, Little Women.

However, the most jaw-dropping performance of the night was the show’s finale, in which the Cary High Band, Orchestra, and Chorus shared the stage and performed three masterworks together. This year’s finale included Verdi’s triumphant “Anvil Chorus,” John Williams’ soaring “Hymn to the Fallen” from the film Saving Private Ryan, and the epic-yet-harrowing Duel of the Fates from Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace. This breathtaking blend of beauty, power, and drama was sure to delight, move, and dazzle every audience member.

The 2019 Green Tie Gala was a huge success, and if you missed out on watching it, make sure to come next year. In the meantime, check out the Cary High Performing Arts page to catch the year’s remaining arts performances and showcases from Cary High’s finest.