“Live symphonic music has the power to move you, lift your spirits, or send shivers down your spine,” said Keith Johnston, director of Band & Orchestra. “From the conductor’s expressive movements to the elegant choreography of bow strokes, a symphony performance is just as much a visual experience as an auditory one. The stage itself becomes a living, breathing work of art.”
Source: Instagram, @sacredheartunivperformingarts
On April 24, 55 members of the Sacred Heart University Symphony Orchestra will present “Roots and Wings” at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.
The concert will include Franz Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony, Carl Stamitz’s “Viola Concerto No. 1” featuring Dr. Gregory Williams, and John Williams’ “Sound the Bells.” The performance will showcase a full ensemble, including strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
Johnston said the orchestra began rehearsing at the start of the spring semester, first in string and woodwind sectionals and later as a full ensemble.
Jennifer Rynne, coordinator of Band and Orchestra Operations, said the orchestra rehearses twice a week, with sectionals on Tuesdays and full ensemble rehearsals on Wednesdays. Members are also expected to practice independently.
Junior Eileen Duffy, a violinist in the orchestra, said Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony is the piece she is most excited to perform, noting that the ensemble has put in significant effort to meet its technical challenges and prepare it for performance.
“The violins help add to the upper texture,” said Duffy. “We have multiple ‘sweeping’ passages that are very unique and a cool addition to some of the pieces.”
Junior Noah Held, Winds, Brass and Percussion coordinator and principal clarinetist, described the structure of the piece.
“Normally, symphonies have four movements, but this one has two,” said Held. “This piece is fun, especially when the sections get a little more edgy and aggressive. It’s probably my favorite piece we’re doing since I have a handful of exposed moments where it’s just me and the strings.”
Junior Timothy Baumer, the orchestra’s principal cellist, said that he’s played the cello since he was four years old.
“I’ve always had that opportunity to make music with others, and it’s a way you can connect to people unlike anything else we have,” said Baumer. “We have some beautiful parts at the beginning of Schubert and to sound as one and be the core of the orchestra will hopefully help create a good experience for the listener by hearing what the cello has to offer.”
Baumer said the John Williams piece introduces a larger instrumental arrangement, including additional brass and woodwind parts to create a fuller sound.
“I’ve never really played anything John Williams in my life,” said Baumer. “We’ve done classical stuff throughout different bands and orchestras, so I haven’t done much contemporary music. John Williams is considered to be one of the most legendary composers, and I think it’d be cool for the brass and winds to have their own fanfare at the beginning – it’s very exciting for the listener.”
Johnston said live concerts bring audiences together through a shared cultural experience and allow them to engage with music in real time.
“I don’t know a lot of my friends who go out of their way to listen to orchestral music, but it’s a nice change of pace, and I find it relaxing,” said Baumer. “We’re in such a fast-paced world, so when you go to a live concert, everything slows down. It’s enhanced my life in such a great way with people supporting the arts, making sure we still have these experiences in the future – not just in the orchestra, but all other performances going on as the semester closes.”
