Tomorrow night, Friday September 30, the Chamber Music Society of Bethlehem is bringing us a world renowned string quartet, the Moscow String Quartet, to play in Foy Hall at 8 p.m.
Now tickets for this event, for an adult, will cost $30. For students, the cost is $5. That's a pretty good bargain for students, I think. But you know what's even better?
The cost for Moravian students is $0.
All Moravian students get in for free at concerts held at the college, and for the most part, they take advantage of this opportunity.
But talking to a fellow student the other day, it has come to my attention that for some reason, the concerts held by the Chamber Music Society of Bethlehem tend to be overlooked by many of the students. A good number of them pass by this opportunity to hear these great musicians.
Maybe they think that string quartet music is too "stuffy" for their tastes? Or maybe it's the larger number of adults and senior citizens that attend, making them think this music is not for them.
I am here to tell everyone, that it is definitely worth going to see this group. The members of this group are graduates of the Moscow Conservatory and the Gnessin Musical Institute in Moscow. They've traveled all over Europe, and have that European air about them.
They've performed in places such as Amsterdam, London, Brussels, and Berlin.
They've worked closely with one of the composers, Sofia Gubaidulina, who is very pleased and amazed with their reverence to her work. At this weekend's concert, they will be playing her piece "Gubaidulina String Quartet No. 3." It should be interesting to hear this piece played by a group who worked so closely with the composer herself!
Other pieces that they will be playing are the Mozart String Quartet No. 21 in D Major, K. 575, and the Shostakovich String Quartet No. 2 in A Major Op. 68 (1944).
I know I'm excited to go see them, and I would hope to see some of you there!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Moravian's Marching Band rocks out at Collegiate Band Festival in Allentown
Tubas dancing, flags flying, drummers a’drumming…
Sunday, Sept. 25 was an exciting one for the Moravian College Marching Band--it was the weekend of the intercollegiate marching band festival!
Marching Bands from colleges in the area, and some from as far as Maryland or Massachusetts gathered on Sunday at the J Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown.
The approximately 70 members of the Moravian Greyhound Marching Band, as well as the others, each performed their shows in front of a crowd of proud parents, fellow bands, and general marching band enthusiasts.
And what a show it was! Starting at 11 a.m., and going all the way to 5 p.m., there was everything from Latin beats (that’s us!), to classic marches, to pop songs, rock ballads, and Russian dances.
Can you imagine a marching band doing a show to Green Day songs? I couldn’t, until Sunday, when one band’s show included the songs “Good Riddance” and “Wake Me Up (When September Ends).” Surprisingly, the angsty rock did make for a good band show.
But some of the more notable bands of the day would be the big dogs--Rutgers, University of Massachusetts, and Morgan State. All of their shows were very entertaining and fun to watch, and had a lot of energy. Of course, all twenty-one bands that performed had great shows, even if there were some mishaps (dropped flags in the color guards, a lost player on the field, a fallen piccolo player here or there), and the day was very enjoyable for all who attended.
How did Moravian’s show go?
Well they made it through, despite some setbacks--the heat was almost unbearable, some members were missing or running late, trumpets were left behind…
But in the end, they pulled it all together, and had a great show! The crowd, meeting them with applause, loved them, especially with their Latin flare and snazzy new uniforms--which were a bright blue with silver Moravian star. The show went without a hitch and the members were very pleased with their performance.
Both of the drum majors, Lizzie Brodt and Missy Zirkel, agreed that it went well.
Band members- what did you think of the festival? What about our performance?
I hope to add some photos soon so stay posted!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Azzati, Women's Chorus take on varied repertoire this season
The sounds of angels, delicate harmonies float through the air…
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Moravian College Women’s Chorus.
The Women’s Chorus is made up of many music majors, but many are just in it for the fun. Tying it all together though is the director, Eduardo Azzati, who is also a vocal instructor for the music department.
The Women’s Chorus has done a variety of music, from old Moravian hymns, to show tunes, to carols and Vivaldi.
This semester’s music is especially varied, with the styles going from medieval chants to 20th century spirituals.
One of the pieces is a medieval song which pilgrims would sing on their way to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. This is a very famous pilgrimage site in Galicia, Spain. It's known for the route that pilgrims follow, which is known as the "Way of St. James," that goes across northern Spain. People still follow the route today to get to the majestic city of Santiago de Compostela
Now this is fascinating stuff! No standard classical pieces here. Azzati likes to choose pieces that are fun to sing and different, and he’s definitely done that this time.
Tuesday’s rehearsal went well, as we went over “Over the Rainbow”, “Dixit Dominus”, and “Let Me Fly”. With the girls’ effort and Azzati’s guidance, the ensemble is always a joy to hear.
Rehearsals are every Tuesday night, from seven till nine, and we work diligently at every one!
And with the Fall concert and Vespers preview concert in November, and Vespers in December, you all will have plenty of opportunities to come see us perform!
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Moravian College Women’s Chorus.
The Women’s Chorus is made up of many music majors, but many are just in it for the fun. Tying it all together though is the director, Eduardo Azzati, who is also a vocal instructor for the music department.
The Women’s Chorus has done a variety of music, from old Moravian hymns, to show tunes, to carols and Vivaldi.
This semester’s music is especially varied, with the styles going from medieval chants to 20th century spirituals.
One of the pieces is a medieval song which pilgrims would sing on their way to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. This is a very famous pilgrimage site in Galicia, Spain. It's known for the route that pilgrims follow, which is known as the "Way of St. James," that goes across northern Spain. People still follow the route today to get to the majestic city of Santiago de Compostela
Now this is fascinating stuff! No standard classical pieces here. Azzati likes to choose pieces that are fun to sing and different, and he’s definitely done that this time.
Tuesday’s rehearsal went well, as we went over “Over the Rainbow”, “Dixit Dominus”, and “Let Me Fly”. With the girls’ effort and Azzati’s guidance, the ensemble is always a joy to hear.
Rehearsals are every Tuesday night, from seven till nine, and we work diligently at every one!
And with the Fall concert and Vespers preview concert in November, and Vespers in December, you all will have plenty of opportunities to come see us perform!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Marching into Fall
Saturday, September 17th- brisk cool air whipped around, the clouds were low, and football was the center of the day.
This weekend’s home game was especially exciting- the marching band was out to perform the show for the first time. We had clocked in so many hours of drill practice in the hot sun of late summer, and twice weekly, even after long days of classes.
Finally we were ready to perform for the public. Unfortunately, the pregame show was cancelled, due to the visiting team coming late. We still performed during halftime, albeit only a small part of the show, for the students and family members who had come out. We performed the last song in our show, “Spain in Stilettos”, which was conducted by drum major Lizzie Brodt.
Not even the impending rain stopped the dedicated band, who marched out despite the increased drizzling. Even so, the band had fun playing stand tunes for the crowd and the team, keeping up the energy on the grey cloudy day.
This weekend’s home game was especially exciting- the marching band was out to perform the show for the first time. We had clocked in so many hours of drill practice in the hot sun of late summer, and twice weekly, even after long days of classes.
Finally we were ready to perform for the public. Unfortunately, the pregame show was cancelled, due to the visiting team coming late. We still performed during halftime, albeit only a small part of the show, for the students and family members who had come out. We performed the last song in our show, “Spain in Stilettos”, which was conducted by drum major Lizzie Brodt.
Not even the impending rain stopped the dedicated band, who marched out despite the increased drizzling. Even so, the band had fun playing stand tunes for the crowd and the team, keeping up the energy on the grey cloudy day.
After the game, the day was not over for the band. The evening held an exciting event- an exhibition at Souderton High School. It was the first time we performed our entire show for an audience (if you don’t count the students watching them practice outside the HILL!), which was made up of high school marching band members and their families and friends. We were met with great admiration, and definitely met up to our reputation of having a great sound.
Both of the drum majors, Lizzie Brodt and Missy Zirkel, were very pleased with how the show went. “I will never forget how the band looked that night” Lizzie said, smiling.
Looks like the band got off to a great start! Watch the band perform some of the show “Spain in Stilettos” at pregame and halftime at home football games. Lets go greyhounds!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
First Post!
Welcome to the unofficial blog of the Moravian College Music Department!
I've been involved in the music scene here since my freshman year, in the Women's Chorus and Wind Ensemble, and there has never been a shortage of interesting, unexpected, or inspiring events to keep me (and all of those involved) entertained.
I'm never bored with the eclectic group of people that make up the music department. Each person has their own story and take on things, and this diversity comes together to create the unique fabric that is this department.
What's going on meanwhile? We'll see where this journey takes us.
* Want to know what great concerts are going on this semester? I will let you know.
* Who's the big man on south campus? We'll learn that too.
But really, both the faculty and students of the music department are admirable in their talents and dedication to their art, and it's this passion and drive that will bring life to these words on the screen.
Together, their talents come and create a magnetic harmony, and a melody that continues to intrigue as it goes along.
I've been involved in the music scene here since my freshman year, in the Women's Chorus and Wind Ensemble, and there has never been a shortage of interesting, unexpected, or inspiring events to keep me (and all of those involved) entertained.
I'm never bored with the eclectic group of people that make up the music department. Each person has their own story and take on things, and this diversity comes together to create the unique fabric that is this department.
What's going on meanwhile? We'll see where this journey takes us.
* Want to know what great concerts are going on this semester? I will let you know.
* Who's the big man on south campus? We'll learn that too.
But really, both the faculty and students of the music department are admirable in their talents and dedication to their art, and it's this passion and drive that will bring life to these words on the screen.
Together, their talents come and create a magnetic harmony, and a melody that continues to intrigue as it goes along.
There might be a few blubs along the way, or a dissonant chord here and there.
But. It's real. It's raw. And the music goes on.
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