After last year’s performances were cut short, the Union University instrumental and choral music groups are set to perform their first concerts of the new school year at 7 p.m. in the Savage Memorial Chapel on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, respectively.
Safety regulations for instrumental groups throughout the semester have included a socially distanced seating chart, plexiglass shields for the director and trumpet players and masks when entering and exiting rehearsal. Choral groups have followed similar guidelines and received special singing masks for practice.
However, these adjustments have not stopped the music department from experimenting with different sounds and pushing their students to be excellence-driven.
According to Michael Mann, director of the Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra, the instrumental concert will boast a diversity of music and instrumental groups.
“It’s an extreme variety of music from around the world,” said Mann. “There’s something for everyone … It’s a full representation of our entire instrumental program at Union.”
The program will include a steel band, a harp-violin duet, a string quartet, the Symphonic Band and the Symphony Orchestra. Each group brings a different genre of music to the concert, which Mann attributed to the high skill and competency of his students.
The Symphonic Band will also feature a piece conducted by Micah Rhodes, senior music composition major, who was encouraged to take up the role after his performance in Mann’s advanced instrumental technique class.
“He wanted to prove his skills as a conductor, and I thought it would be a neat opportunity for him,” said Mann. “He’s very encouraging and easy to follow … He lets you know what needs to happen.”
As for choral groups, Voices of Proclamation is especially excited to perform at this year’s concert since their normal touring performances have been put on hold.
“Normally, we go on Sundays to churches in Jackson and even two hours away from Jackson,” said Hanna Biskner, sophomore music major. “We’ve only done one performance this year at the [Carl Grant] Events Center.”
The University Singers will also sing a variety of music, including spirituals and a few Latin pieces.
Biskner pointed to community when asked about her most anticipated feature of the concert.
“It’ll be nice to have everybody in a big space enjoying our music,” said Biskner. “Just relaxing and taking a break from homework.”
Similarly, Mann emphasized Union’s Christ-centered core value for the instrumental performance.
“First and foremost, what we do is honor the Lord,” said Mann. “We play as if Jesus was sitting on the front row.”
For more information and to register for seating, please visit uu.edu/dept/music/events/.
