The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis’ music fraternity held its annual concert on Jan. 25 in the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall.

“Mu Phi Epsilon is an honorary music fraternity that bases the selection of its members off their scholastic achievements and musical talents,” said the concert’s director, Associate Professor of music Rebecca Sorley. “They need at least a 3.0 GPA and to have gone beyond the preliminary theory course to qualify and get accepted.”

Mu Phi Epsilon also emphasizes a dedication to serving the community.

The concert, hosted by the UIndy Beta Psi chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, benefits The New World Youth Orchestra. The concert was free, but donations were accepted. The organization’s mission is to develop musical talent and personal growth in young people throughout Indianapolis and central Indiana.

“New World Youth Orchestra has been going on for about 30 years now,” Sorley said. “Our group mostly consists of high schoolers who audition to join the orchestra. They practice, work hard and then get to perform at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.”

The program began with a video, in which the founder of New World Youth Orchestra, Susan Kitterman, talked about the significance of the orchestra in a young person’s life. The film featured voice-over testimony from students who were part of the orchestra.

The benefits described by many of the students include the sense of accomplishment when performing, the camaraderie and the experience of playing as one with other talented musicians.

The program itself featured music from various composers, such as Carl Maria von Weber, Joseph Haydn and Andrew Lloyd Webber, performed on a variety of instruments from flutes to pianos.

Sandwiched between the mostly piano pieces were larger brass instruments such as a tuba in “Emmett’s Lullaby.” Most of the pieces were traditional compositions such as Morlacchi’s “The Swiss Shepherd” and Doppler’s “Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise,” both played on the flute. The one nontraditional piece, “Clapping Music,” was a turn away that seemed to delight the audience.

Despite one performance having to be cancelled because of an illness, the concert kept  students pleased with what they experienced.

“My favorite performance came from Jennifer [Page] when she was playing her piece [“Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise”] on the flute,” said freshman English major Mikaela Bielawski. “The performance and video were very nice. I thought all the performers were really talented, and I liked the variety.”

At the table near the entrance was a donation box for New World Youth Orchestra, which had made $465 by the end of the weekend, according to Sorley.

“Beta Psi is still accepting donations to the New World Youth Orchestra,” Sorley said. “If anyone is interested in giving to us they could send a check to Rebecca Sorley in the music department. My goal with the concert is helping to raise awareness, which I think we’ve accomplished.”