What began as a simple sightreading exercise has flourished as a precise and melodious work that the Symphony Orchestra will perform on May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Rediger Chapel.
As musicians across campus gather every Monday and Wednesday to practice, their dedication and persistence will be on full display at their final concert of the year, featuring Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 8.”
Christopher Bade, professor of music and director of the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, was very intentional in the selection of the pieces the ensemble will play, ensuring that the pieces will both develop the skills of the musicians and be enjoyable to audience members.
“I try to program performances of great orchestral music that challenge the players to grow as musicians, and that build an audience to appreciate and respect live music that has withstood the ‘test of time’ and still resonates powerfully,” Bade said.
As the performance approaches, the musicians are transitioning from just learning the notes and rhythms of the score to focusing on musicality and helping their individual sounds aid the group, Samantha Lail, a freshman music and accounting double major, said.
The technicality and nuance in these pieces are part of what makes this performance’s repertoire so challenging, Lail said. As a second violin, she has to ensure the steadiness of a single note that holds up other parts within the ensemble.
The selections also carry emotional depth as they ebb and flow in a manner that mimics memory lane, Lail said: a program that builds momentum and ends in a musical exclamation marked by high speed and unity between instruments.
As this performance concludes another season of music-making, it culminates the many hours spent rehearsing.
Throughout the semester, this has cultivated a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, Bethany Atanus, a junior music performance major, said.
With the influx of new freshmen each year and students pursuing new opportunities like study abroad trips throughout the year, the group often looks different each semester, Bade said. However, the pursuit of excellent music-making and a yearning to grow as a whole remains amidst the turnover.
Students agreed.
“In Orchestra, we’re intentional about wanting to grow together as a group,” Atanus said. “So, we come together and want to be here for my friends, and play our part.”
Together, the Symphony Orchestra will begin rehearsing in Rediger Chapel, where their concert will take place. This shift is not just a location change from the band room to the large auditorium, but also a sign that the performance is just around the corner, Lail said.
As the group diligently prepares to be performance-ready, they encourage fellow Taylor students to see the pieces that they will be showcasing after a semester of long and difficult work, Lail and Atanus said. While a classical, orchestral piece may seem unfamiliar to some, it breeds an environment of learning and awe for the artistry that goes into producing excellent music, Bade said.
“Our current culture tends to highlight more ‘popular’ entertainment. This trend is not wrong, but I am growing more aware that great ideas in the Arts are not regarded as highly as they once were,” he said. “The great work done here on the TU campus in all the Arts is commendable! We should celebrate this more openly.”
