Designer: Eliana Myhal
The high school has widespread participation in the performing arts programs, which includes the marching band, choir, orchestra and theater. These programs require serious commitment and ability, and many students even participate in two of these groups simultaneously.
However, one student is set apart in her dedication and talent to these programs. Senior Allie Zigler is a part of all four performing arts programs, an admirable commitment she has kept all four years of her high school experience.
“Within Orange, I’m a part of the chamber orchestra, the jazz band, the wind ensemble, ATN, our acapella choir, Coraliers, our SATB advanced choir and then Orangelight Productions, which is our theater program,” Zigler said.
Zigler has been surrounded by music from a young age, as her mother is a string music educator. She played the violin since fourth grade and has since learned to play the viola and she brings her playing abilities both to the high school orchestra and outside groups.
“I am in the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra. I’ve been in their top ensemble for all of my time in high school. We play several concerts of major symphonies throughout the year, which is a blast,” Zigler said.
Zigler also acts with Orangelight Theater, participating in plays, musicals and has also directed and written a short musical. She has been in over a dozen productions.
“My favorite show I’ve done has to be ‘Six’. It was an all star cast, both for the leads and the understudies. It was one of the most musically fulfilling things to be able to teach and work with such developed singers. It was so much fun to be on stage with all my friends and watch all of them shine,” Zigler said.
Zigler also plays the mellophone in the marching band, is a squad leader and a music section leader.
“In marching band, Allie stands out for her musicianship, as she has a great way of working with her section to make sure they all meet a certain musical standard. From a visual standpoint, she also stands out for being a great marcher, being on top of her drill, getting her squad to be solid in all of their fundamentals, as well as excelling and putting a lot of energy into what she does,” Assistant Band Director Zachary Zerkle said.
Not only can Zigler play various instruments, but she also is a talented singer and is a part of Above the Noise, the school’s acapella performance group.
“I joined it my sophomore year with the choir experience of 4th and 5th grade elementary school choir. It’s been a wild ride these past three years, going from someone with little to no actual choral training or experience, to now one of the co-presidents and basically the resident arranger,” Zigler said.
Zigler also spends a lot of time composing music. Her music has been performed by all different performing arts groups, including ATN, where she has been regionally recognised.
“This past year, I arranged our opener for a competition set and that ended up getting Best Student Arrangement in the Midwest, which is pretty sweet. And then this year, I’m arranging our full competition set, which is daunting but very exciting,” Zigler said.
One especially notable project she has done was composing an entire marching band show, consisting of three songs by Bon Jovi. While the band has performed student written songs, this will be their first time performing an entirely student written show, which will make its debut at the band’s senior night football game.
“She has a wide range of composing abilities. She really checks all of the boxes that you want of a composer, and she’s really collaborative with anyone she’s working to make a composition for. Especially with the new halftime show, she has been able to put her original ideas on paper and has been able to modify as needed,” Zerkle said.
It is rare to see so much musical talent and passion in a person, and Allie Zigler is sure to bring her talents to wherever her future lies. She plans to major in composition and music education with the goal to become a composition professor.
“Music has always had a special part to me. I am so happy that I’m in a position to live in a world where I can pursue this as a career and let my passion and my joy in life be what I do for a living, and also let that inspire others and help others to grow. That’s really why I love to compose, I love to allow others to feel things that sometimes words don’t explain,” Zigler said.
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