The love of music brought students and local residents together to play an assortment of musical pieces at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium yesterday night.
The University Band, conducted by Richard Suk, comprises 128 non-music majors and community members who took the stage playing six pieces for their first of two concerts this year.
The band played two marches and two emotional pieces, Inferno and I Am
which used sound effects and singing.
Graduate student Matthew Brunner conducted Inferno which is written by Robert W. Smith and based on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.
Audience member Christy Berry said Inferno was her favorite piece. She said the different sound effects such as chains and foot stomping really added to the piece.
Irene Raya, a clarinet player, said Inferno is a challenge because of its speedy tempo.
'Inferno' is my favorite piece to play said Kate Isham, a horn player. Isham is a special-education teacher for Paint Valley Local School District and is one of the few community members in the band. She has played with them since her years at Ohio University and continues to drive an hour and a half to play for their Thursday-night practices.
I Am
a mournful but peaceful piece was written by Andrew Boysen about the death of a high school student and was conducted by graduate student Sean Kelbley.
'I Am' is one of my favorite pieces because it reminds me of my friends
said clarinet player Liz Zlocki.
Suk said he was proud of the group because it was one of the largest University Bands in recent OU history.
Audience member Jessica Jensen said she thought the band played beautifully.
The University Band is a great idea
she said. It is nice that the university provides a way for people who enjoy music to play for fun.
Kelbley said, The University Band is a really good way for people who do not want to commit a lot of time and enjoy music to keep playing and enjoy something they did earlier in life.
Charles Yeago, a music publisher, continues to play the euphonium in the band years after his graduation.
The band is nice because people from all over the community come to play
said Theresa Graves, who has played in the band for three years.
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Carolyn Casey
