Spring Break
Symphony dedicates Veteran's Day performance to bringing peace
Erin Matheny/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: News
A combination of some of Coles County's best musical talent, a history lesson and a "call for peace" filled McAfee Gym.
Sunday night's "Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms" concert was more than a commemoration of Veterans Day.
The Eastern Symphony Orchestra, University Mixed Chorus and members of the Symphonic Honors Initiative Program preformed together under conductor Richard Robert Rossi in the South Gymnasium of McAfee Gym.
The orchestra performed Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A Major," and was later joined by the University Mixed Chorus for Johannes Brahms' "Nänie," and Johann Sebastian Bach's "Dona Nobis Pacem."
Rossi introduced music department chair W. Parker Melvin who told the audience the significance of the pieces performed at the concert in correlation with Veterans Day.
Melvin said Beethoven conducted a symphony in 1813 to benefit Austrian and Bavarian soldiers who had been wounded at the Battle of Hanau in the Napoleonic Wars.
The performance of "Nänie" was dedicated to the victims and those affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Melvin also said Sunday's concert was dedicated to "those who served, those who lost lives, and those left behind."
In addition to the orchestra, some younger members of the community were invited to play with the orchestra as part of the Symphonic Honors Initiative Program.
The program provides orchestral experience for talented high school and middle school players in Coles County and the surrounding areas.
One such player was Adina Barnett, a home schooled eighth-grader who has played the viola for four years.
Barnett did not perform in the Beethoven piece, but looked forward to playing in the Brahms piece because it was faster both overall and particularly for the viola part.
She said she enjoys playing with the orchestra because of the learning opportunities it gives her.
"It's fun and you can learn with other people. You can get tips from people who are more experienced than you or even at your same level."
Upcoming performances for the Eastern Symphony Orchestra include a Holiday Concert Collage featuring the major ensembles from the music department at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 at and Handel's Messiah featuring the Eastern Symphony Chamber Orchestra, EIU Concert Choir and members of the Illinois Symphony Chorus from Springfield at 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Both performances will take place in McAfee's South Gymnasium.
Sunday night's "Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms" concert was more than a commemoration of Veterans Day.
The Eastern Symphony Orchestra, University Mixed Chorus and members of the Symphonic Honors Initiative Program preformed together under conductor Richard Robert Rossi in the South Gymnasium of McAfee Gym.
The orchestra performed Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7 in A Major," and was later joined by the University Mixed Chorus for Johannes Brahms' "Nänie," and Johann Sebastian Bach's "Dona Nobis Pacem."
Rossi introduced music department chair W. Parker Melvin who told the audience the significance of the pieces performed at the concert in correlation with Veterans Day.
Melvin said Beethoven conducted a symphony in 1813 to benefit Austrian and Bavarian soldiers who had been wounded at the Battle of Hanau in the Napoleonic Wars.
The performance of "Nänie" was dedicated to the victims and those affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Melvin also said Sunday's concert was dedicated to "those who served, those who lost lives, and those left behind."
In addition to the orchestra, some younger members of the community were invited to play with the orchestra as part of the Symphonic Honors Initiative Program.
The program provides orchestral experience for talented high school and middle school players in Coles County and the surrounding areas.
One such player was Adina Barnett, a home schooled eighth-grader who has played the viola for four years.
Barnett did not perform in the Beethoven piece, but looked forward to playing in the Brahms piece because it was faster both overall and particularly for the viola part.
She said she enjoys playing with the orchestra because of the learning opportunities it gives her.
"It's fun and you can learn with other people. You can get tips from people who are more experienced than you or even at your same level."
Upcoming performances for the Eastern Symphony Orchestra include a Holiday Concert Collage featuring the major ensembles from the music department at 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 at and Handel's Messiah featuring the Eastern Symphony Chamber Orchestra, EIU Concert Choir and members of the Illinois Symphony Chorus from Springfield at 7 p.m. Dec. 7.
Both performances will take place in McAfee's South Gymnasium.
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