The Muncie Symphony Orchestra will showcase classical pieces from world-renowned composers at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Pruis Hall.
The size of Pruis Hall creates a more intimate setting, with shorter pieces and a smaller orchestra, but several elements are being added to the performance such as cellist and Young Artist Competition winner Lydia Rhea.
Rhea will perform part of Dvorak’s cello concerto, and another piece will feature a small choir and four vocal soloists, said Douglas Droste, artistic director and conductor of the orchestra.
Droste said he understands most students may not be familiar with the music played at the concert, but classical music holds the same amount of importance as any other form. He said classical music has the power to “challenge you intellectually,” while pop songs today are more simple and only “consist of three or four chords on the guitar.”
“This is exactly the opposite of what average Ball State University students will do every day,” Droste said. “A normal day might consist of a lot of screen time, staring at a phone or computer.
"This is a time where you can actually put your screen down and take a breath and soak in the classics, some of the best music ever written.”
Stacey Edwards, a music history instructor at Ball State, said there is value to be found in listening to an orchestra live no matter how much you know about music.
“The spectrum of sounds within an orchestra is so colorful and expressive,” Edwards said. “I also love to observe the conductor and the musicians as they work as one force toward one goal. It can be relaxing, but very exciting as well.”
Throughout the concert, the orchestra will play pieces from famous musicians such as Bach and Mozart. Droste said the orchestra is aiming to “honor tradition and look forward to the future” by celebrating both contemporary works and older pieces.
“Classical music is called that for a reason, much of it has never gone out of style and I hope it never will,” Edwards said. “I think it is important to see beyond the present time and the ever-changing fashions of pop music and be exposed to music that is truly timeless and can speak to all generations.”
Many generations of Ball State alumni, faculty and graduate students can be seen performing with the orchestra as well, and Edwards hopes that students will attend the free event and realize that “orchestra concerts are not just for old people.”
Contact Melissa Kraman with comments at mmkraman@bsu.edu.
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