Philharmonic kicks off fall season

The Musical Arts Center filled with familiar strains of horns and strings Wednesday night.

Approximately 1,200 people attended the Philharmonic Orchestra’s first show of the season, said Alain Barker, Jacobs School of Music spokesman. The orchestra, conducted by faculty member David Effron, performed three different classical music pieces, including Richard Strauss’ “Don Quixote.”

“It’s such a higher level than high school stuff,” freshman Mary Peters said.

Even 10 minutes before the performance began, audience members were stepping through aisles, looking for available seats. The stage filled quickly with musicians wearing all black, carefully carrying their instruments.

The orchestra performed Gluseppe Verdi’s “Overture to Nabucco” and Peter IIyick Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” before intermission. The Verdi piece captured attention with bright notes and crescendos, while“Romeo and Juliet” soothed the audience with a low, soft start.

After intermission, the Philharmonic was joined by three renowned guest string players for “Don Quixote.” Cellist Eric Kim, viola player Michael Strauss and violinist Alexander Kerr accompanied the orchestra as the guest principals. Kerr is currently a professor at the Jacobs School and is also the string department’s youngest violin professor.

While the audience varied in age, several students came to the performance.

Freshman Chris Passolano joined his friends to see their first show at the MAC.
“We just came to check it out,” he said.

Several audience members also came to support their friends in the orchestra including Jacobs freshman Sam Callahan.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s cool to be here seeing people I know.”