UWS Chamber Orchestra puts on first show despite challenges
10/29/2009
By David Greenburg
Staff Writer
In their first performance of the year on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the UWS Chamber Orchestra succeeded in a well-programmed concert enjoyed by those in attendance.
“First concerts can be really hard,” said Dr. Erin Aldridge, conductor of the UWS Chamber Orchestra, “but they went out there and made music, and did it really well.”
Besides the challenge of their impressive program, the UWS Chamber Orchestra conquered other hurdles for last night's performance.
Due the current national emergency of the h1n1 virus, the UWS Chamber Orchestra faced personnel absence due to sickness, including the original soloist for Saint-Saens “Danse Macabre.”
The Chamber Orchestra adapted wonderfully, calling on UWS Alumna Amy Eichers to fill the soloist's chair. Eichers is currently a member of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) and Teacher at Superior Middle School. The orchestra danced deftly along to the lyrical line of Eicher's solos, bringing spirited dance of Death's fiddle to life in the Thorpe Langley Auditorium.
The feature of last night's soloist Earl Salemink, UWS Faculty and Principal Chair Trumpet for the DSSO, was not without its challenges to the UWS Chamber Orchestra either.
Due to programming changes, the music for Hayden's “Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat Major” was presented to the orchestra only two weeks before last night's concert. Salemink expressed much praise for the orchestra in accomplishing what he feels to be a sometimes awkward accompaniment in such a short period of time.
Salemink himself was an utter joy in last night's program. His clear and crisp quality of tone resonated in the auditorium, every single chromatic run ringing well over the orchestra.
The program was ended with a smaller version of the chamber orchestra, featuring many student soloists in selections from “Pulcinella Suite for Small Orchestra” by composer Igor Stravinsky.
A most memorable selection was the movement “Gavotta con due varazioni”. The interweaving flowing tones of oboe soloist Beth Gucinski and Horn Soloist Emily Borra floated over the punctuated lines of cello soloist Marinos Glitsos, who was actually performing the original bassoon part.
Among the satisfied patrons of the concert was Chancellor Juilius Erlenbach.
“There is an incredible difference in this ensemble when you think about where they were in past years, and how much progress they've made. Very well done,” he commented.
Other upcoming concerts include the Superior Festival Orchestra concert on Nov 4.
More information on programming for all UWS Ensembles is available on the Music Department homepage at http://www.uwsuper.edu/acaddept/music/
“First concerts can be really hard,” said Dr. Erin Aldridge, conductor of the UWS Chamber Orchestra, “but they went out there and made music, and did it really well.”
Besides the challenge of their impressive program, the UWS Chamber Orchestra conquered other hurdles for last night's performance.
Due the current national emergency of the h1n1 virus, the UWS Chamber Orchestra faced personnel absence due to sickness, including the original soloist for Saint-Saens “Danse Macabre.”
The Chamber Orchestra adapted wonderfully, calling on UWS Alumna Amy Eichers to fill the soloist's chair. Eichers is currently a member of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) and Teacher at Superior Middle School. The orchestra danced deftly along to the lyrical line of Eicher's solos, bringing spirited dance of Death's fiddle to life in the Thorpe Langley Auditorium.
The feature of last night's soloist Earl Salemink, UWS Faculty and Principal Chair Trumpet for the DSSO, was not without its challenges to the UWS Chamber Orchestra either.
Due to programming changes, the music for Hayden's “Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat Major” was presented to the orchestra only two weeks before last night's concert. Salemink expressed much praise for the orchestra in accomplishing what he feels to be a sometimes awkward accompaniment in such a short period of time.
Salemink himself was an utter joy in last night's program. His clear and crisp quality of tone resonated in the auditorium, every single chromatic run ringing well over the orchestra.
The program was ended with a smaller version of the chamber orchestra, featuring many student soloists in selections from “Pulcinella Suite for Small Orchestra” by composer Igor Stravinsky.
A most memorable selection was the movement “Gavotta con due varazioni”. The interweaving flowing tones of oboe soloist Beth Gucinski and Horn Soloist Emily Borra floated over the punctuated lines of cello soloist Marinos Glitsos, who was actually performing the original bassoon part.
Among the satisfied patrons of the concert was Chancellor Juilius Erlenbach.
“There is an incredible difference in this ensemble when you think about where they were in past years, and how much progress they've made. Very well done,” he commented.
Other upcoming concerts include the Superior Festival Orchestra concert on Nov 4.
More information on programming for all UWS Ensembles is available on the Music Department homepage at http://www.uwsuper.edu/acaddept/music/
