The Wind Orchestra’s ‘Setting the Standard’ concert at Ohio Northern University is a marvelous example of student involvement in the university. From the musicians, attendees and even the Freed Center staff, students worked every aspect of this production.
Within the orchestra itself, students from all over the university, regardless of major, are able to participate as a musician in the orchestra. It’s here in the orchestra that students whose paths may never cross otherwise, get to meet and create lasting relationships. A number of students came to the performance to support the orchestra and the hard work of all the musicians.
The orchestra played a number of classical pieces meant to showcase the musicians’ abilities. There were pieces from a variety of composers, including Percy Grainger, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Samuel Barber, and John Williams. These pieces have been played all around the world as mainstays for the wind orchestra. The orchestra’s ability to play these iconic pieces displays its versatility and talent.
ONU’s Wind Orchestra is directed by Thomas Hunt, professor of music. His favorite piece of the night was “Lincolnshire Posy,” composed by Grainger.
“True masterwork of the wind repertoire, it has to be the piece that the concert revolved around,” said Hunt.
With six movements, “Lincolnshire Posy” was the longest piece of the night drawing upon classic British folk songs from the hills of Lincolnshire, England.
As the musicians continue to improve and the year moves forward, there will be more opportunities to experience these students’ musical abilities. On Dec. 10, the orchestra also will grace the stage of the Freed Center again. This time, the central piece will be “Gloriosa” by Yasuhide Ito, another piece that Hunt hails as a masterwork.