As the spring semester draws to a close, Elon University’s student musicians are taking advantage of the final weeks to show off their hard work.
The Elon University Orchestra, Saxophone Studio and Camerata and Chorale choirs all performed concerts April 24-26 that showcased musical pieces developed throughout the semester.
Junior Nathaniel Hodges, who has been involved with the studio for three years, said the studio wanted to deliver music that was not only well-written, but also fun to play.
“It’s all about pushing boundaries and forcing others to be curious about pushing boundaries as well,” he said.
Hodges said he credits Virginia Novine-Whittaker, adjunct instructor of music, for the group’s success thus far, as well as at Wednesday’s concert.
“(She) is a widely known saxophone teacher and is incredible at getting the most potential out of her students as possible,” Hodges said. “For years we’ve had healthy numbers because she just tends to attract and then foster talent.”
The Elon Chorale and Camerata choirs performed their Masterworks concert April 26 in McCrary Theatre. The combined choirs sang the masterwork “Misa Criolla,” a Spanish mass with a tenor soloist.
Junior Tricia Williams, a member of Chorale, said the other six selections performed encompassed a wide variety of genres under a “global” theme.
“The music included a masterwork piece from Hispanic-American culture, a Japanese war song and numerous African-American spirituals,” Williams said. “This was the first time ‘War Song’ had been performed in the area. It is an extremely difficult piece and performing it was a unique opportunity.”
The choirs also sang “Earth Song,” a selection about peace, and ended the show with four spirituals, which junior Tina Lanciotti said aided in conveying a message of global awareness.
[box]Elon University Orchestra
- Performed with Brad Linde, Class of 2001, guest musician on saxophone
- Showcased Handel’s “Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 6 No. 10,” written by the Baroque composer in 1741
- Presented “Beyond Classical: Saxophone Music for a New Millennium”
- Explored 20th and 21st century classical music
- Performed “Improvisation 1” by Japanese composer Ryo Noda, as well as Movement One through Five of Carleton Macy’s “Four Saxes”
Attendance at the choral concert was fair, but community members outnumbered students in the audience, according to Williams.
“In the future, I hope that more students attend,” Williams said. “We worked really hard and it was a great performance.”
Lanciotti, a member of both choirs, noted that while McCrary is spacious, attendance could have been better.
“Elon students should watch so that they can hear the beautiful music that Elon University is capable of,” Lanciotti said. “All of the vocalists within the choirs come from so many different backgrounds, and it is great to hear all of the voices come together to produce such beautiful music.”