A previous WVU Symphony Orchestra concert.
The WVU Symphony Orchestra invites the community to the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. as it closes the spring semester with a program of varied orchestral works.
The concert is conducted by WVU’s Director of Orchestral Activities Rotem Weinberg. Members of the Morgantown High School Advanced Orchestra will play alongside the WVU Symphony Orchestra for the opening composition, “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius. The second number will feature one of the WVU School of Music's Young Artist Competition winners, violist Noah Bowles.
"The WVU Symphony Orchestra and I are excited present this last concert of the school year with significant works covering the emotional range from struggle and grief to triumph and joy,” said Weinberg. “We are looking forward to welcoming strings students from Morgantown High School, who will sit side-by-side with our WVU students to make one big string section. I'm sure it will be incredible to hear.”
MHS Choir and Orchestra Director Clayton Heinecke is thrilled to bring his students to the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
“I'm beyond excited to see my students rehearse and perform on the same stage I've spent many hours on myself as a WVU alumnus,” Heinecke said. “In my experience, when high schoolers are presented with opportunities to step up—in this instance, performing alongside college students—they are great at putting their best foot forward and leaving with a new sense of personal agency.”
The MHS Orchestra performed an abridged version of “Finlandia” for its spring concert at the Metropolitan Theatre.
“To truly master a piece of music, a musician benefits from multiple performance experiences of the same work,” he continued. “The students now have direct knowledge of rehearsing this piece in different venues, what went right or wrong for them in a live performance and what improvements we can make to elevate the next performance.”
“WVU has been incredibly involved and kind to our school and community. MHS students benefit greatly from partnering with the University for unique opportunities,” said Heinecke.
Noah Bowles earned a solo and will perform two movements from “The Swan Turner” by Paul Hindemith. (Photo courtesy of Noah Bowles.)
For the WVU School of Music Young Artist Competition, students from across all the disciplines compete for an opportunity to perform a featured solo alongside the Symphony Orchestra. As one of the winders, Bowles, a third-year graduate student in viola performance, will play two movements from “The Swan Turner” by Paul Hindemith.
“I am honored to be chosen as a winner this year,” said Bowles. “To be able to share the stage with my colleagues and dear friends will be a great experience, and I hope people enjoy the piece I’ll be performing.”
Among string instruments, the viola is not commonly featured for a solo, especially compared to a violin or a cello.
“For me, it means a lot to be able to show people the amazing qualities of the viola and perhaps introduce them to a whole new world of music,” Bowles said.
The centerpiece of the night’s program is Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4.”
“It’s a monumental work that stretches the abilities of all the musicians in the orchestra. It has an incredible range of melodies, emotions and colors that is sure to move end excite everyone in the audience” Weinberg said.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors and can be purchased online at go.wvu.edu/ccam-tickets, by phone at 304-293-SHOW or in person at the box office located in the main lobby of the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn more about the WVU School of Music at music.wvu.edu and follow the WVU Symphony Orchestra on social media @wvuso.