A mainstay on campus since 1916, the Elon University Orchestra held its 106th annual spring concert April 18.
The performance, which occurred in front of a packed crowd at the McCrary Theatre, was organized and conducted by musical director Thomas Erdmann. This was Erdmann’s last show, as he is retiring after 34 years in Elon’s Department of Music.
The main attraction of the performance was the orchestra’s rendition of Mozart’s Symphony No. 10, which is a continuation of the orchestra’s tendency to play Mozart.
The show also featured guest performances by Elon music faculty members Thomas Turanchik and Gerald Knight. Turanchik played an oboe solo on the orchestra’s rendition of “Sicilienne” by Maria Theresia von Paradis, while Knight sang two songs by composer Henry Purcell.
Elon faculty member Gerald Knight during his guest performance on April 18.
After the performance, the Department of Music held a reception outside of McCrary in honor of Erdmann’s retirement. Elon sophomore Zach Pritchett was one of the attendees and said he appreciates the opportunity to see free performances such as the orchestra.
“They always do such a great job, and it was really cool to see Dr. Erdmann’s final show,” Pritchett said. “It’s not all the time you see someone’s last show after 35 years.”
While this is the Elon University Orchestra’s last performance of the year and last performance with Erdmann, it will return in the fall with more shows — and a new conductor — at the McCrary Theatre.