Clarkson Integrator

Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy of Chris Lenney The Clarkson Orchestra's Jeff Ward, Mike Petraca, Matt Souva, Andrew Moskevitz break out the brass to an enthusastic crowd during dead week last semester.

At the end of last semester, just before finals week as stress was mounting to its highest, the musicians of the Clarkson University Orchestra brought sounds of joy to the over-worked students of Clarkson University. On December 6, 2007, the Barben rooms were opened to all for the Clarkson University Orchestra Concert. The Clarkson community responded by filling the Barben rooms to the brink. Every chair was filled and a row of spectators stood behind watching and listening to the beautiful music. For those who arrived late, there was standing and floor room only.

The Orchestra itself was made up of all types of string, woodwind and brass players. Students and members of the local Potsdam community came together to provide an auditory feast for everyone in attendance. The music spanned many styles, including a Baroque Toccata, selections from the popular rock-inspired musical Phantom of the Opera, and music from the ballet Dance of the Hours. The orchestra also played such pieces as Overture to Nabucco, Blue Tango, Procession of the Sardar, and Hungarian Dance Number 5. The final piece, A Christmas Festival, was a imaginative arrangement of festive Christmas music. Some of the instrumentalists even showed their holiday spirit with Santa hats, or ribbons and other decorations wrapped around their instruments.

The conductor, a student intern from the Crane School of Music, introduced each piece by explaining its origin and speaking a little about the composer of the piece. Each piece was met with raucous and enthusiastic applause.

The Clarkson Orchestra meets every Tuesday night in the Hamlin-Powers Seminar room and plans to have another performance in the spring. New members are encouraged to join.

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