Most percussion instrumentalists have only four primary ways of communicating with audiences: dynamic level, rhythmic intrigue, tempo, and articulative ability. But, this doesn’t hinder performers’ abilities to allow for much diversity in performances, the creative programming or a concert. This was made very clear to me in the performance that members of the Concordia Percussion…
Author: Andrew Swartchick
Christmas Concert takes artistic risks
This year, the Concordia Christmas Concert took some considerable risks in music programming choices. Artistic risk-taking is a double edged sword that either pays off in full or falls flat, and the Christmas Concert this year had examples of these both. I would describe the concert as an artistic collage that demands professional-level commitment from…
Concordia visited by guest pianist Matthew Cataldi
From beloved children’s music, demanding pieces from the common piano repertoire and even some Led Zeppelin, Matthew Cataldi’s program had it all. Cataldi, piano, performed in the Christiansen Recital Hall at 7:30 pm on Friday Nov. 2 as a part of the department of music’s guest recital series, and he was breathtaking. His concert was…
Concordia Orchestra stuns with post-tour home concert
For the first time, Concordia College had an entire week for fall interim in the middle of the semester. Some students had this lead to fulfilling PEAK requirements, for others it meant having a few extra days of break and for members of the Concordia Orchestra, this meant a full week of tour through Wisconsin…
Three choirs concert showcases professional-level performances
Three of Concordia’s choirs were showcased in a concert this weekend – Cantabile, Kantorei and Chapel Choir – each of which proved that they could be flagship ensembles at another college in the country. The Three Choirs Concert performed on Oct. 7 was stupendous. Led by Michael Culloton, associate professor of vocal music education and…
Homecoming concert showcases flagship ensembles
My favorite part of homecoming has always been the homecoming concert. This concert brings together the three flagship ensembles of our music program and it reminds many alumni of the band, orchestra, and choir programs what it was like to be performing in Memorial Auditorium. The concert on Saturday, Sept. 29 was dominated by extremely…
Band senior soloist recital showcases students’ talents
On Sunday, Sept. 23 in the Christiansen Recital Hall (CRH), five senior members of the Concordia Band competed in a competition to be named senior soloist of the 2019 band tour. It was a stunning concert that featured the powerhouses of the band’s wind sections. Jordan Doely, clarinet; Rebecca Elliott, flute; Race Hoglund, alto saxophone;…
Review: ‘Friends of Music’ recital
“Friends of Music Appreciation: Faculty Blockbuster” was performed on Sunday, Sept. 9 in the Christiansen Recital Hall. The concert was performed as thanks for the generous donations that the music department receives each year. It featured a wide array of Concordia’s music faculty, from vocal professors Anthony Leathem and Holly Janz, to music department head…
Review: Healing Power of Music offers solace
On Friday, Sept. 7 Concordia College presented a concert titled “The Healing Power of Music.” The concert was a stunning breath of fresh air into the Christiansen Recital Hall (CRH) as each performer connected their mind, body, and spirit into a night of both an emotional weight and a release of tension. Put together by…