A trombonist rehearses during orchestra practice.
The University of North Alabama band is comprised of many ensembles that showcase the specialties and talents of our students. The UNA Orchestra is one such ensemble that brings together students from various departments to perform in a full symphonic orchestra.
As stated on the orchestra‘s page on UNA’s website, the orchestra performs four concerts a year, and its program includes “symphonies, choral masterpieces, concertos, world premieres,” and more. Includes a wide range of repertoire. new composition. ”
The UNA Orchestra meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Dr. Suren Petrosyan, conductor of the UNA Orchestra, works diligently with his students to ensure that the audience has an engaging experience and is attentive throughout the concert. He said the best way to keep audiences captivated was to “give them the best music possible.”
He invites everyone, especially students, to come see the upcoming show.
“Please come and join us,” Petrosian said. “It’s important to us and it’s important to our students. The concerts are open to the public, especially students. And for students, it’s free. Seeing the audience makes you play better.”
Petrosyan works hard to ensure that his orchestra students are well prepared for their upcoming performances.
“We practice slowly. We try to understand how it works together and prepare the best version for the concert,” Petrosyan said.
Petrosian has conducted orchestras at Arkansas State University, Creighton University, and Alma College in Michigan before coming to UNA to conduct orchestras. He has also held commands in various countries including Armenia, Canada, France, and Germany.
“One of[my]favorite things as a conductor is reaching out to communities and audiences in new ways by connecting music to other disciplines like theater, dance, visual arts, and technology,” Petrosyan said. said.
There are other opportunities for students to get involved in the community and perform in orchestras outside of UNA, such as UNA’s Shoals Symphony Orchestra. The Shoals Symphony Orchestra is made up of students, music faculty, and professionals who perform together to form a professional ensemble.
According to https://shoalssymphony.org/, “UNA’s Shoals Symphony Orchestra enhances the cultural life of all residents of the Shoals region through musical performances and educational programs.”
UNA’s Shoals Symphony Orchestra has performed a variety of famous pieces, including Mozart’s Requiem, as well as film scores from popular films such as Star Wars and Harry Potter.
Students can audition for both orchestras by emailing Petrosyan (email protected). Petrosyan encourages students to join both orchestras.
“Both orchestras have different selections for each concert,” Petrosyan said. “If there is anyone on campus who plays an instrument and would like to participate in this class, please do so.”
Students who join the UNA Orchestra also enjoy benefits such as scholarships and the opportunity to perform beautiful music with their peers.
The UNA Orchestra performed a show titled “Royal Procession” on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
“For the October 8th concert, our theme will be ‘Royal Procession’ and we will feature French music, Russian music and mythology,” Petrosyan said. “One of our last pieces was Mountain King, which is a bit of scary Halloween-themed music.”
The concert featured Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s music based on Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt.
Petrosyan invites the audience to become involved in the story being enacted. He was looking forward to his audience hearing “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” a piece Grieg had composed as incidental music to Ibsen’s Peer Gynt.
“‘Mountain King’ is a collection of myths and stories and things that everyone knows,” Petrosyan said. “A lot of German stories are pretty scary, pretty dark, like ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and stories like that. And this is one of them. It’s about living in the mountains and scaring people. (It’s) very creepy, very energetic, (and) very fun.”
The program also included works by the French composer Chevalier de Saint-Georges, whose historical significance is of great interest. But Petrosyan said the orchestra is not about history.
“We celebrate his music. It’s great, great music,” Petrosyan said.
UNA’s Shoals Symphony Orchestra is also scheduled to perform “Rhapsody in Blue” on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m.
