For the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra, performing at the state's premier musical education event was supposed to be a chance to showcase its skills.
But a fortuitous choice of program music will make today's performance just as much about Haiti as it is OU.
For the OU Symphony Orchestra's first performance at the Ohio Music Education Association's annual Professional Development Conference since the 1970s, director Steven Huang chose three pieces composed by Haitians to accompany the more traditional works by Mozart and Stravinsky.
It appears to be an obvious choice meant to pay homage to the estimated more than 150,000 lives lost after the magnitude-7 earthquake that hit Haiti Jan. 12 - except that Huang chose the music back in November.
Now
unfortunately I guess because of the tragedy in Haiti we're trying to use this occasion to bring about more awareness
Huang said.
The association features performances by college and high school musical ensembles from across the state. In addition to the performances, there are presentations on musical philosophy and theory. Vendors also sell music and instruments and publishers look for music to buy.
Along with the orchestra, the Wind Ensemble and African Ensemble were accepted to represent OU at the prestigious conference, beginning today in Cincinnati.
Huang originally selected the Haitian works to fit with the theme of OU's conference repertoire, Points of Departure.
Points of Departure has to do with the idea that not only physically are we traveling ... we're also exploring different composers and music
said Andrew Trachsel, director of bands at OU and conductor of the Wind Ensemble.
The music was meant to show OU's commitment to different cultures and to learning new types of music, Huang said.
Huang said the music isn't extremely difficult, which he hoped would allow high school students to learn the music and spread knowledge of Haitian culture.
Obviously
it's pure coincidence
Huang said. But we're trying to capitalize on the repertoire choice that I've made so we can really tie in
and people don't just think of Haiti as some really poor country ... but that there is a vibrant culture.
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