On Friday, April 17, the Sacred Heart University Band and Orchestra will perform the Chambers Ensemble Concert at 8 p.m. at the SHU Community Theater in Fairfield. The concert will feature both classical and contemporary styles of music performed by students in the chamber ensembles.
Source: Contributed by Alysa Feldman, ’27
Source: Instagram, @shu_orchestra
“Audiences are going to hear some contemporary avant-garde pieces, some more contemporary pieces for various ensembles, and a lot of traditional pieces from the classical music era,” said Keith Johnston, the director of performing arts band and orchestra. “They’re playing in smaller groups and are typically not led by a conductor. The idea of chamber music is very often a self-led ensemble.”
According to junior Alysa Feldman, students rehearse for the concert primarily on their own time and meet once a week for about an hour. Feldman plays the clarinet in a quintet within the ensemble. She is also a member of the wind ensemble, marching band, pep band and orchestra.
“We’ve been rehearsing since the beginning of this semester, and it’s been really fun,” said Feldman.
Andrew Kolar, the associate director of bands, said that chamber music is different from larger, more orchestral-sounding music for a concert band or symphony orchestra.
“There will be jazz, pop tunes, classical music, avant-garde modern music and everything in between,” said Kolar.
“We’re playing the mambo, so that’s going to be really exciting,” said Feldman. “It’s a really fun piece and very different from the classical pieces that we would play normally.”
This is a different form of musical communication by how they interact with each other, according to Johnston.
“As an ensemble, they work together through musical questions to try to make up what their own interpretation is going to be,” said Johnston. “They have discussions about tempos, phrasing, dynamics, cueing, ritardandos, accelerandos, all the different musical elements they need to discuss to make the piece what it is.”
Senior Sean Manole, the vice president of the band council, plays the alto saxophone and flute in the band and orchestra.
“When you’re in any type of small group like concert ensemble orchestras, you really have to know how to listen and play with everybody else that is around you,” said Manole. “You have to blend really well.”
“It’s a really fun experience to come together and hear what everyone’s been working on in their own time,” said Feldman.
The Chamber Ensemble Concert has been an annual performance taking place at the end of the spring semester for over 15 years at SHU.
Kolar said the event highlights the range of talent within the university’s music program.
“We are looking forward to showcasing our students’ diverse musical talents,” said Kolar.
Tickets for the Chambers Ensemble Concert are free for SHU students, faculty, and staff with a SHU ID. Further information regarding ticket prices for the general public, reservations and additional details can be found at shucommunitytheatre.org.
“Not only will there be incredible performances, but because everyone holds music in a special place in their hearts, supporting our students by coming to their concerts is the very best way to show it,” said Kolar.
