Under the stage lights, the audiences see actors sing and dance through Poway High School’s production of Curtains. Below the stage, the orchestra keeps the show moving, note by note.

In the pit, student musicians follow every cue, transition, and pause. Their work shapes the pacing of the musical, even though they remain out of sight.

Bass player and freshman, Emily Fujimoto, helps anchor the orchestra during many of the show’s ensemble numbers. In “Show People,” Fujimoto focused on keeping the band together by emphasizing steady downbeats, allowing other instruments to lock into the tempo even during busy background passages. 

“Bass has a lot of background parts, so I’m helping keep time for the other instruments and making sure we’re all together,” Fujimoto said.

Senior Reginald Griffin, one of the pianists for Curtains, played a key role in keeping the score connected to the action onstage. Show days began early with preparation and waiting for cues before the curtain rose.

“Most of the time, we’re waiting,” Griffin said, “You really have to stay focused and watch the conductor.”

Once the show begins, timing becomes critical. Musicians must adjust constantly to match dialogue, choreography, and unexpected changes onstage.

“The audience usually wouldn’t know if something went wrong, but we do,” Griffin said.

The technical demands extend beyond traditional playing. 

Drummer Jack Tomko faced moments that required multitasking and sound effects rather than steady rhythms. One of the most challenging moments came during the transition before the Act One finale, when Tomko plays the drum kit while also using a whistle as part of the score. 

Other scenes required creative effects, including a moment where pit musicians imitated a cat trapped in the orchestra pit before a sudden full-band hit.

“You have to be locked in for almost three hours straight, or you’re bound to make mistakes,” Tomko said.

After the final note, the orchestra packed up as the cast took their bows. Though rarely seen, the musicians in the pit remained essential to bringing Curtains to life from start to finish.