The group will be performing a selection of works composed by the greats. They will open with a Mozart piece titled “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro”.
Mann said the most exciting part of the concert will be a solo performance by Paige Tang, senior music major and violinist. Tang will be playing the Conus work, “Violin Concerto”.
“It is a 20 minute piece that she performs, memorized and it’s simply spectacular,” said Mann. “Her technique and flow on her instrument is virtuoso-like.”
Elizabeth Tomyn, junior music major and violinist, said the solo raises the group to a new level of musicality.
“It’s a really interesting challenge to accompany someone,” said Tomyn. “You have to really focus on the director because he’s following her and we’re following him.”
The orchestra will close the concert with Beethoven’s eighth symphony.
“It is a masterwork that was written during Beethoven’s declining deafness,” said Mann. “It is also wonderful and upbeat as if Beethoven was writing his own music of encouragement due to his health challenges.”
Tomyn said this is the hardest piece to perform, at least in the string section.
“It’s pretty much continuous playing,” said Tomyn. “So you kind of have to be on the edge of your seat and really focused to play it the way that it should be played.”
This will be the last undergraduate performance for Tang and the other senior orchestra members. This class of seniors was a part of the first full university orchestra.
“They’ve been there from the very beginning of this program and so it’s cool to see how it’s grown from what they did, but it is sad to see them leave,” said Tomyn.
The orchestra concert is Thursday, May 7 at First Baptist Church in Jackson. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
