Ever since I was introduced to Igor Stravinsky in third grade, I always had a fascination with classical music and whenever I get the opportunity, I enjoy catching a good show and adding more music of the genre to my CD collection. Tonight (October 14, 2016 at the time of this writing), just so happened to present that opportunity to me, so now I wanted to discuss how the show went.

My school has been building this lavish concert hall, Musco Center For The Arts, for years now, really ever since I became a student there. To see it completed in all its glory just as I'm finishing up my final semester is quite the send off for my educational career, I must say. The interior reminds me of the world's great concert halls like the Sydney Opera House or Walt Disney Concert Hall. It's just another reason to be thankful for going to the school that I go to. Anyway, on to the show.

The concert was divided up into two segments. The first portion of the show was performed by the school orchestra and conducted by Daniel Alfred Wachs, while the second part was performed by the symphony, which was conducted by Christopher J. Nicholas. The orchestra played primarily older material from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while the wind symphony played more contemporary compositions, with their last song being much older.

Daniel Alfred Wachs

One piece that stood out for me in the first half of the show was "La Création du Monde", which is a musical rendition based on African folk mythology, particularly the story of creation. What is interesting about this piece is that it combines aspects of classical and jazz music, which makes it a more dynamic and adventurous composition to listen to. Apparently it was inspired by a trip that the composer (Darius Milhaud) took to America back in the 1920's when jazz music was especially popular.

Christopher J. Nicholas

Another piece that caught my interest during the second half of the show was Frenergy, which was written by the Canadian composer John Estacio. As you can tell by the title, the song is "frantic" and "energetic," hence the name, and it plows on through in a galloping triple meter. Definitely an exciting tune and the wind symphony did a great job adapting it from its original orchestral form. I can safely say that classical music is alive and well, and I hope to see more shows like this in the future.

Set List:

The Chapman Orchestra

1. Prélude á l'aprés-midi d'un faune (1894) - Cluade Debussy

2. "Urlicht" from Symphony No. 2 (1895) - Gustav Mahler

-featuring Erin Theodorakis ('16) - mezzo-soprano

3. La Création du monde (1923) - Darius Milhaud

INTERMISSION

The Chapman Wind Symphony

4. Lament (2002) - Chang Su-Koh

5. Frenergy (1998) - John Estacio

6. Peterloo Overture (1989) - Malcolm Arnold

7. Pas Redoublé (1890) - Camille Saint-Saens