With the celebration of 150 years of Andrews University, it’s important to take the time to acknowledge some of the programs that have established this institution’s global notoriety. One of these is the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra (AUSO).
Throughout this university’s history, the Symphony Orchestra has solidified itself in the space of music performance and has not only put on stellar concerts here on campus or even just in Michigan, but has also gone across the globe. Its website states that “since 2006 the orchestra has performed in Hungary, Italy, Austria, Germany, France, Philippines, and Costa Rica. ” The content of the musical repertoire is largely orchestral, stemming from the 1700s in a diverse range of styles, including some popular music during the festive holiday season.
Edwin Barnes is noted to be the most significant figure in early Adventist education when Andrews University was Battle Creek College. His European education and close connections with his teachers there made him an outstanding teacher, performer, and leader, conducting not only orchestra but also different choral groups. As he continued to teach, his students began to be accepted into prestigious music schools across the country and even in Europe. After the move in 1901, the school lost Barnes’ important musical resources, so he decided to stay around the Battle Creek area and opened a highly successful music conservatory in 1906. This was when the school changed its name to Emmanuel Missionary College. During the presidency of Edward A. Sutherland, only sacred music was taught under the tutelage of Orwin A. Morse, and with that, he covered all aspects of music class instruction. In 1904, both Sutherland and Morse left, and the subject of sacred music was made into a specialized area of study.
As the second decade at Berrien Springs began, President Graf allowed the music program to become more stabilized on campus, and Mabel L. Huffman became the primary music professor in 1911. She was assisted by a number of people who directed different musical groups, including the orchestra, which was received with enthusiasm by audiences who would pay 10 cents to attend their concerts. Accomplished student Louis Thorpe came to EMC in 1919 and was asked to teach band and orchestra, immediately winning over both students and teachers alike with his charisma and high accolades. By the time he earned his baccalaureate in 1925, he had solidified both the band and orchestra as a program. Fast forward to 1929, when William Osborn became chair of the music department. Even as enrollment was reduced campus-wide, both band and orchestra flourished considerably during his tenure. Many more esteemed conductors cycled through the music program during the 20th century, and in 2004, Claudio Gonzales was handed the baton, assisted by Marc Elysee. Gonzales retired in 2007, and the AU Symphony Orchestra has been under the leadership of Dr. Elysee ever since.
The background of the Symphony Orchestra is vast and colorful, pulling people from various backgrounds and allowing them and their students to establish themselves in Andrews University's history, going on to bigger and better things and taking a piece of the school with them. As we continue to reflect on the past 150 years of AU in all its forms, it’s important to recognize some of the people who brought us to this point so we have the previously established insight to continue moving forward into the future.
All of this information came from the International Adventist Musicians Association (iamaonline.com)
(*look under the “SDA Colleges & Universities” banner on the left-hand side)
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.