The DePauw University Orchestra kicked off their first concert of their 141st season on Sept. 14 in Kresge Auditorium. Conducted by Orcenith Smith, 17 instruments were included in the concert, played by multiple students. Five pieces were played and the concert lasted an hour and thirty minutes in total.
The concert started off with "Fanfare for the Common Man," which is a noble song meant to commemorate soldiers serving in World War II. The piece began with the striking booms of percussion, followed by powerful brass. In all, it portrayed a theme of heroism and patriotism in the midst of a troubled world.
The next piece was not featured in the brochure, for it was a surprise for the audience. Taylor Swift's, “You Belong With Me,” was played energetically and strongly– it was an opener for the next piece, which was Symphony No. 3 in C Major by C.P.E. Bach. This piece portrayed the Baroque period’s elegance, complexity and excellence. Both of these pieces focused on rousing the audience's emotions through unanticipated switches in mood and spirit.
The third piece was “Twelve Contredances”, WoO 14. Numbers one through six were played. Made in 1801, this was a time where conservative society in the French country began to evolve. The songs lasted from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and the purpose of this was to get the audience, back in time, to dance in line sequences which encouraged the mingling of social classes.
Next, the orchestra included five different pieces from the opera, "Faust." They focused on the ballet music during Walpurgis Night, a German celebration of springtime where people would ward off evil spirits and celebrate the seasonal transition with a bonfire. The five pieces included: No. 1 Valse for the ballet de Corps, No. 3 Cleopatra and her Nubian Slaves, No. 4 Dance of Cleopatra, No. 6 Dance of Helen and No. 7 Bacchanale and Entrance of Phryné. Each of these pieces demonstrated a darker element of existence, inviting the audience to contemplate on history.
According to Bassoonist Emma Bashura ‘28, this was her favorite part of the concert. “Pieces like this are, as a bassoonist, some of the most fun to play because we finally get to embrace our dark side, instead of playing the usual bass line, cheery melodies or the intoxicated.”
Finally, the last piece, "Sketches of Unblemished Earth," had three parts played. I. Water, II. Woodlands, III. Heights. Composed by Jordan Jinosko, the pieces depict landscapes he came across while hiking the Appalachian Trail. The first piece rippled throughout the auditorium and felt both brooding and relaxing at the same time, reflecting water. The second piece was playful and whimsical, reflecting the woods. Lastly, the third piece was breathtaking and inspiring, reflecting on the views of the environment below mountain tops. In all, these pieces called for the audience to appreciate the earth in a new perspective.
When asked what made this concert special, Fluitist Laura Allen ‘26 said that the concert captured the highs and lows of life as well as its many phases. “It was also very special to me because it was my last orchestra concert at DePauw and summed up an ending to this chapter of my life,” she said.
DePauw University’s next concert featuring the String Orchestra with the University Band will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Go support them and listen to them play!
