And what were you practicing

Just intermediate-level Bach, Mozart & Beethoven solo pieces, on a reasonably good digital piano. With results varying from just-passable to probably-not-bad. There's a way to go yet but it's getting there. 10 years ago I practiced 4 hours daily. This went on for a couple of years before I got swamped with other things. Now I'm only just recently gradually getting back into it again.

As far as "local" U.S. orchestras go, one pretty good one is the Peabody Symphony Orch from John Hopkins U, which has free downloads of their performances. Haven't heard any high school orchs but yours 'sounds' like a good one ...