The West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Bernard Herrmann, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Joseph Martin Kraus tonight at 7:30 in the Creative Art Center’s Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
The orchestra is under the direction of WVU Director of Orchestral Activities and associate professor Dr. Mitchell Arnold.
Arnold teaches the course, conducting and rehearsing the ensemble, for the College of Creative Arts.
WVU’s Symphony Orchestra is made up of brass, percussion, string and woodwind musicians, and orchestra members are comprised of music majors and minors as well as a select number of non-majors who auditioned to be a part of the ensemble.
"Since we perform great music with exacting demands on not just the technical but musical abilities of our students, participation requires a significant but rewarding commitment of time," Arnold said.
Some students play in the orchestra to fulfill class requirements; others choose to play out of personal interest.
"Quite a few of our orchestra members also play in other smaller ensembles and explore other types of music by participation in jazz, African, world music and rock groups," Arnold said. "This is in addition to their solo work for recitals."
With numerous instruments being used throughout the performance, it takes concise planning and coordination for the conductor and musicians to organize such an event.
"First, we need to play music in the course of a concert that provides these talented musicians with challenges, either in terms of virtuosity or musical expression," Arnold said. "Usually both."
When selecting pieces for the musicians to play, Arnold needed to utilize the talent he had in the class. Songs were chosen that fit in with what musicians are available.
"Having an audience hear us and appreciate us is what all musicians want," Arnold said. "So I have to be sure that our audiences hear music that interests and moves them, and even at times opens their ears to sounds they may not have expected."
The orchestra will play a variety of pieces including Herrmann’s "For the Fallen," a tribute to fallen World War II soldiers. Herrmann was also the composer on Alfred Hitchcock films such as "Psycho" and "Vertigo."
Music history professor Dr. Christopher Wilkinson will read the words of Abraham Lincoln as the orchestra performs Aaron Copland’s, "Lincoln Portrait."
A piece will be played by Chinese composer, Chen Yi as well as the overture to the 18th century play, "Olympie," by Kraus.
The orchestra will also perform two orchestral selections from an opera by composer Korsakov.
"Nothing pleases our students more than having other students from all over the WVU community come with their ears to appreciate the gift of live performance," Arnold said.
Tickets for tonight’s performance are available at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices.
Be the first to comment on this article!