The raucous, albeit musical, chaos of the entire Ohio University Symphony Orchestra warming up on their instruments came to a halt the moment director Steven Huang set foot on the stage. The clutter was replaced with silence and each instrumentalists’ eyes locked directly with the conductor’s.
The Presidential Inauguration Concert on Wednesday night featured five selections. Some were from significant years in the School of Music history, and others were written specifically for the symphony orchestra.
The night began with Huang acknowledging President Duane Nellis and congratulating him on his inauguration. Above all else, the concert served the purpose of celebrating convergence of music and history.
Huang provided context about the songs from each of the years that the pieces were written, such as significant historical events and the meaning behind the compositions.
The selections performed showed variety, and the group performed within a number of genres, such as classical, folk and classic rock. This, along with Huang’s occasional joke, created a light-hearted and fun environment that wouldn’t typically be expected at an orchestra concert.
At one point Huang broke his baton while conducting.
“It broke, but unlike Harry Potter, this still works magic when it’s broken,” Huang said.
When asked about the humor displayed by Huang during the concert, violinist Chris Keener, a senior studying biology pre-med, laughed and said “he always does that.” The friendly and humorous nature of the conductor was on display even when there was no music playing.
On the other hand, some aspects of the concert addressed more serious issues. The last selection in particular, “Into the Streets,” by former faculty member Mark Phillips, provided thought-provoking social commentary on student protest.
Phillips made a presentation for his piece, and it stated that “the spirit of protest, of students taking their ideas into the streets, has never completely vanished.” Nellis watched as Phillips’ words continued. “It seems likely that street theater will be an ongoing footnote in the university’s history.”
This piece featured a medley of the OU Alma Mater and “Light my Fire” by The Doors. While the orchestra played, images of protests from the 1960s cycled on a video screen, matching the revolutionary attitude of the song.
Huang ended the event with sentimental reflection at how the program has affected him personally.
“Thank you for supporting fine arts and this fine, fine orchestra” Huang said. “I intend to spend the rest of my career here if you’ll have me.”
