Andrews Symphony Orchestra: Journey

The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is excited to share its colorful Thanksgiving Concert, this year titled “Journey.” Audience members will be required to wear a mask in attendance, but there will be no limits on seating capacity, so we encourage all community members to join us in person for some exciting live music, as there won’t be a live-stream video option for viewing at home.

The largest composition on this program is jazz legend Duke Ellington’s orchestral masterpiece The River, which he completed in collaboration with orchestrator Ron Collier. The full composition was commissioned by the American Ballet Theater, and so tonight’s program features the standard “Suite” of musical selections extracted from that ballet. Beginning as a delicate Spring, this Suite includes seven watery miniatures such as Meander, Giggling Rapids, Lake, and Vortex. The contrasts in energy and color are striking! Ellington’s ballet originally debuted in 1970 at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Alongside Ellington’s geographical and stylistic journey, the AUSO will present two other musical journeys. The first will be a journey of faith and courage represented in George Frideric Handel’s introductory music for the Biblical story of Esther. Handel’s Overture to Esther, completed in 1732, contrasts with the other two pieces on the program written more than two centuries later. A splendid example of Baroque Era instrumental music, the music captures the elegance of Esther as well as the obstacles she encounters, and ultimately, her grace and courage on behalf of all Jewish people.

For our third musical journey, Department of Music graduate student Nehemias Calsin will lead the orchestra in music composed for The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The protagonists in these fantastical movies - a pair of hobbits named Frodo and Samwise - embark on a journey that is both epic in scope and intimate in its interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges. The two hobbits encounter numerous unexpected creatures on their voyage to rid Middle Earth of existential threats. Howard Shore’s soundtrack for the movies illustrates the intimidating forces they encounter, but especially demonstrates considerable beauty throughout.

Program:

George Frideric Handel - Overture to Esther

Howard Shore, arranged by Jerry Brubaker - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Howard Shore, arranged by John Whitney - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

- Intermission -

Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, orchestrated by Ron Collier - Suite from The River

• I - Spring
• II - Meander
• III - Giggling Rapids
• IV - Lake
• V - Vortex
• VI - Riba
• VII - Village of the Virgins

Andrews University Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Chris Wild

The Andrews University Symphony Orchestra is the core ensemble of the orchestral program at Andrews University. In addition to their current series at the Howard Performing Arts Center, the Symphony Orchestra travels within the Great Lakes region as well as internationally. Since 2006, the orchestra has performed in Italy, Austria, Germany, France, the Philippines and Costa Rica.

More information coming later ...

COVID-19 Safety Measures

We encourage you (our guests) to be vaccinated or have recently tested negative for COVID-19. Please self-screen for symptoms and exposures prior to attending a concert. You should not attend events if symptomatic or if you meet Health Department criteria for isolation or quarantine. Wearing of masks is encouraged.

The University is continually monitoring transmission data for the area as well as recommendations from both local and federal agencies. The University may alter mitigation protocols to address changes in risk. This could include requiring the wearing of masks/face coverings and up to canceling or postponing an event.