REVIEW: USU Symphonic Band performance soars on a serious note

Marlie Kohles, staff writer

The annual USU Symphonic Band and Chamber Ensembles concert was held Wednesday night, but this year’s performance held a somber tone.

Earlier this year, the symphonic band lost member Eric Andersen in an accident at Utah State. The 2013 USU Symphonic Band concert hosted a fundraising effort designed to help Andersen’s family with the expenses associated with his death, and a dedication was made during the concert.

“This next piece, ‘Amazing Grace’ by Frank Ticheli, is dedicated to him” said Dr. Joseph Falvey, an assistant professor in the USU music department.

After the concert, Falvey said that people can never work enough in music.

“It’s not just one piece that can use more work, it’s all pieces,” he said. “You just could always use more work.”

Even though the performers had very limited rehearsals, Falvey said, they worked hard and dedicated themselves to the success rate of this concert and they most certainly succeeded.

Rachel Transtrum, a flautist with a double major in mechanical engineering and flute performance, said the last piece performed that evening was the hardest for her.
           
Falvey said the diversity of the pieces – covering “a range of 200 years” – set this performance apart.

“There was a very audible variety with the piece that were performed,” he said.

Many of the performers agree that a big contribution to a concert’s success is the audience.

“It was a good turnout for a Wednesday concert,” Transtrum said. “There were more people than I expected.”