On Friday, Nov. 30, the School of The Arts Department of music held a Chamber Orchestra Concert at California State University, Stanislaus. The concert was held at Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall.
Dr. Stuart Sims, Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Instrumental Studies, conducted the concert, along with Leah Carl the assistant coordinator.
“If you have never attended an orchestra performance, whether local or in the city, you simply must!” Turlock resident Caitlin Brach said.
For those of you who have attended Orchestra performances before, you’re truly in for something special when you attend CSU Stanislaus Orchestra concerts. Much disciplined and detailed instrumental pieces allow listeners to pay attention to their own inner thoughts and feelings.
The different pieces performed during the concert encouraged both reflection and introspection for the audience. My favorite piece performed was “Serenade for Winds.” The piece was composed in 1881, when Richard Strauss was only 17 years old. The piece included two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns and cast in sonata form.
I loved the way the CSU Stanislaus Orchestra captured the detail of every note during “Serenade for Winds.” The students were obviously well prepared and showed great discipline while executing the piece.
In the future, should you decide to attend a concert, and I encourage you to do so, you most certainly will deepen your appreciation of instrumental music. Your enjoyment will be enhanced by reading up on the composers before you attend.
Beethoven and Mozart may be the only two names the world recognizes.However, I would argue that the two pieces performed tonight based on work they composed have earned them the respect they deserve. The CSU Stanislaus students did a marvelous job performing the pieces and I would encourage this young group of aspiring musicians to pursue their music careers.
Thankfully, for fellow music lovers like myself, the genius, creativity, and timeless masterpieces of the past can be brought back to life through concerts filled with talent such as this.
For more information about upcoming concerts or other events taking place at CSU Stanislaus, go to www.csustan.edu/SOA.