The resident symphony orchestra, the Virginia Tech Philharmonic, met three times per week recently to prepare for its performance at the Moss Arts Center. The concert honored and featured the two students who won the Virginia Tech Soloist Competition earlier this academic year.
The first winner, Mary Wright, will sing two arias from Rossini’s operas: “L’Italiana in Algeri” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” The first movement of E. Séjourné’s “Concerto for Marimba and Strings” will be performed by winner Miranda Hughes. The concert also featured the world premiere of a new work “Three Love Letters,” written by California-based composer Adam Hochstatter. The piece was commissioned by Mathias Elmer, the Virginia Tech Philharmonic’s conductor.
The philharmonic is one of several large music ensembles on campus with more than 60 members, composed of music majors and non-majors. Auditions for the orchestra occur at the beginning of each academic year and are open to every Virginia Tech student as a one-credit class.
“Music brings together people that wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to meet,” said Madeline Deck, a senior civil engineering major and violin player. “Rehearsals with the Virginia Tech Philharmonic are the exclusive time I spend with non-engineering students. … In a world that is growing increasingly more competitive, it is nice to spend time in the VT Philharmonic and work collaboratively to create something beautiful as a group. As a non-music major, I was overjoyed to be able to participate in such an exceptional group throughout my four years at Virginia Tech. It is a nice break from the technical work of my degree.”
Other students share Deck’s sentiment of finding belonging in the orchestra and have bonded over Elmer’s inclusive teaching style. “I love the process and hearing how the orchestra grows, not only musically, but also closer together as a team. VT Philharmonic is a second family to me,” said music performance and French double major Jada Braxton.
Senior music education and cello performance double major Josie Chase said, “I love the repertoire that Dr. Elmer picks for each concert. It’s so diverse in styles, time periods, and instrumentation.”
“Dr. Elmer is not only an amazing educator but an amazing mentor,” said Kieran Casey, music education and composition major. “His engagement with his students, his passion for music, and his love for the arts makes him the best director I have ever had.”
Wright is a native of Northern Virginia who is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree She is also a young artist at Opera Roanoke and a soloist at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke.
Hughes is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in percussion performance degree She is an active soloist, chamber musician, and educator specializing in classical and contemporary genres and also has studied West African hand drumming, singing, and dancing.
