Chamber ensemble performance season comes to a close
The University of Indianapolis music students showcased their talent in the Student Chamber Ensemble Concert in Ruth Lilly Performance Hall in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center on April 6.
The concert consisted of several sections, each with different instruments–flutes, tubas and euphoniums. Many of the 10 flutists, directed by music professor Jodi Sowers, have been Sowers’ students since they were in high school.
The pieces performed included “Pastorale,” “Celebration,” “Siciliano,” “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and “Sabre Dance;” and the composers ranged from Johann Sebastian Bach to Duke Ellington.
“My personal definition of music is not the standard textbook definition of organized sound,” Sowers said. “Although this is true, I hope the audience feels differently at the end of the concert than the beginning. If it created an emotional response of some kind, then we’ve done our job.”
Following a brief intermission, the flute choir collaborated with the tuba and euphonium ensemble. For this portion of the concert, the musicians played “Last Minute,” “Mood Indigo,” “Celestial Suite,” “Eclipse,” “Chiapanecas” and “Sehr Ausdrucksstark.”
“The tubas had a deep, intense sound, so the more cheery flutes complemented the sound well,” said sophomore Courtney Sanders.
According to Sowers, the combination of the three different instruments created a beautiful resonance that filled the entire hall.
Sanders said that during the flute solos, the atmosphere was childlike and joyful, but the tubas and euphoniums added a sense of solemnity.
“The performers had a high level of energy that transferred to their music,” Sanders said. “The entire concert was an assortment of fast and slow, loud and soft. The majority of the pieces were soft and leisurely, but scattered throughout the concert were thunderous and vivacious sections. While the flutes were upbeat and lively, the brass instruments added a quiet and velvety texture to the music.”
According to Sowers, the performers were extremely enthusiastic about their music and they exhibited impressive skill. The inconsistent tempo made for an entertaining performance.
She added that each piece was different and the sound was rich and resonant. There were many solos to showcase each musician’s talent. The brass instruments created a steady, low melody while the sound of the flutes wafted effortlessly through the air as they wove in and out of the bass line.
Students in the audience had many positive comments about the concert.
“I think the musicians did a great job of displaying their talent and drawing the audience into the performance,” Sanders said.
Sowers is a professional flutist and participates in many faculty concerts because she believes they allow students to see what teachers do professionally outside of class lecture.
According to Sowers, she wants her students to get to know the creative and emotional side of her that can only be visible onstage.
She also feels that for those not involved in music, faculty concerts are an opportunity to see the diversity of the department, feel the energy of the performers, see their movements and connect in a way that is not possible with recordings.
“I am so fortunate to direct talented young flutists to the music department,” she said. “I believe recruitment is achieved by believing passionately in what you do every day.”
