Bemidji State University’s chamber orchestra held a special performance Friday night, performing works by Juilliard composer Eric Ewazen. Eric Ewazen visited the school last week to teach students about his work.
There’s a lot going on at an orchestral concert, including learning new music, trying to sound good as a group, and, of course, performing in front of a live audience. And that’s especially important when you need more.
“Well, this is a very special week,” said Eric Olson, assistant professor of music at BSU. “We have a composer, Eric Ewazen, from New York. He teaches at the Juilliard School. He comes to Bemidji State University for a full week to work with students and ensembles in the music department.”
The conductor guides the orchestra on how to approach each piece, but the addition of the composer adds another element to the music.
“When Mr. Ewazen comes in, he’s able to put the final touches, polish the piece, so we can finish it the way he intended,” Olson explained.
“We have them bring their deep knowledge and vision to a piece that may be very different from ours, and then give it to us to change it and make it what they’re looking for. It’s fun to help evolve it,” he said. BSU music education graduate student Seth Freundsch;
It’s not every day that students get to learn from a great composer like Ewazen, whose works are performed all over the world.
“Fun doesn’t seem to be a good enough word,” says Emma Niesink, a member of the BSU Chamber Orchestra. “I would say it’s an honor to play for him because as a student, we haven’t gotten to that point yet. We’re not experts. You know, this is something that all of us That’s what we’re here to learn from. So it’s great to look at role models and be inspired and show us what we can do.”
And this was not only a special event for the students, but also for the composer himself.
“Sometimes you hear them doing new things that you hadn’t thought of before, and I think that’s pretty cool,” says Juilliard School teacher and composer Eric Ewazen. spoke. The rehearsals I’ve heard have been really great! They don’t just learn and play notes, they put their heart and soul into the music. They are really expressive. So it’s a great experience. ”
