Hillsdale College Symphony Orchestra Returns to Markel Auditorium to perform “Music from the Big Screen” with Concerto/Aria Competition Winners
HILLSDALE, Mich. — The College Symphony Orchestra, directed by Professor of Music James A. Holleman, performed “Music from the Big Screen: A Tribute to the Film Composer,” in Markel Auditorium on March 5 and March 6.
“The students inspired the pieces for this concert,” said Professor Holleman. “When I announced the theme, so many students were excited to offer suggestions for the performance. I’m incredibly proud of their dedication and am continuously inspired by their joyful, hard work.”
The orchestra returned to the different acoustical setting of Markel Auditorium for the first time since the College opened Christ Chapel.
The orchestra performed cinematic scores from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “Star Wars.” Their repertoire included a John Williams arrangement titled “A Tribute to the Film Composer Performed at the 2002 Oscar Awards Ceremony, John Williams conducting.”
In addition to movie compositions, the performance featured iconic classical music used in film, such as Strauss’s “Zarathustra” from “2001 A Space Odyssey” and Mascagni’s “Intermezzo” from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana featured in “Raging Bull.”
The concerto/aria highlighted three selected winners from the 2022 Annual Student Concerto-Aria Competition. Soprano Marie-Therese Romanos performed Mozart’s “Porgi Amor” from “The Marriage of Figaro” and Bellini’s “Casta Diva” from “Norma.” Mezzo-soprano April Smith sang Barber’s “Must the Winter Come so Soon?” from “Vanessa” and Rossini’s “Una Voce Poco Fa” from “The Barber of Seville.” Cellist Paul Trainor played the first movement of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor.
Hillsdale’s orchestra is a full-instrumentation college symphony orchestra that performs an advanced standard repertoire. Any student with sufficient performing skill may become an orchestra member by audition or recommendation of the College’s music studio teachers. Performances often feature faculty, student, and guest soloists.
The symphony orchestra’s next performance will be May 6, at 8:15 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The concert is free to attend, but ticket reservations are required. Please email [email protected] or call 517-607-2848 for further ticket information.