Orchestra performs long-anticipated symphony this Parents Weekend
Parents to see the work of their students displayed in this year's annual Hames Concert
Sarah Leitmer
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: Arts
A Tchaikovsky symphony Associate Professor of Music James Holleman has waited years to showcase will headline this Parent's Weekend's offerings.
The Hillsdale Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky's 4th and Haydn's 8th symphonies this Saturday and Sunday, in two performances Holleman anticipates will be some of Hillsdale College's best.
"This is the best orchestra we've ever seen," he said.
The Tchaikovsky piece holds a special significance for Holleman.
"I've been waiting years to program the Tchaikovsky. It was one of the first symphony pieces I played in a full orchestra at 16 [years old]. It's one of those pieces that is a part of who I am," Holleman said.
After the Saturday performance, Hillsdale's Big Band Ensemble will play an Afterglow. Dimmed lighting, jazz standards and swing dancing will light up McNamara rehearsal hall. Refreshments will be provided.
"It's a great vibe in the room," Holleman said. "It's a tradition we've been doing for a number of years now."
Students look forward to performing for their parents.
Junior Josh Cook, who plays in the orchestra with his two brothers - senior Tim and freshman Matthew - said he enjoys having family in the orchestra with him and is excited to perform for his mother.
"My mom is coming up for the first time," Cook said. "She wanted to get her money's worth with three of us in school."
In the Sage Center for the Arts, a faculty exhibit will also be open, Chairman of the Department of Art Samuel Knecht said.
It showcases current and past faculty's works of art, including the first professor of art at Hillsdale College, George Gardner.
The only fine arts department not featured this weekend will be the theatre department. The music and theatre department divide the two parents weekends, chairman of the department of theatre and speech George Angell said.
"We do spring Parents Weekend," Angell said, noting that the theater department will perform Cymbeline in February.
The Hillsdale Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky's 4th and Haydn's 8th symphonies this Saturday and Sunday, in two performances Holleman anticipates will be some of Hillsdale College's best.
"This is the best orchestra we've ever seen," he said.
The Tchaikovsky piece holds a special significance for Holleman.
"I've been waiting years to program the Tchaikovsky. It was one of the first symphony pieces I played in a full orchestra at 16 [years old]. It's one of those pieces that is a part of who I am," Holleman said.
After the Saturday performance, Hillsdale's Big Band Ensemble will play an Afterglow. Dimmed lighting, jazz standards and swing dancing will light up McNamara rehearsal hall. Refreshments will be provided.
"It's a great vibe in the room," Holleman said. "It's a tradition we've been doing for a number of years now."
Students look forward to performing for their parents.
Junior Josh Cook, who plays in the orchestra with his two brothers - senior Tim and freshman Matthew - said he enjoys having family in the orchestra with him and is excited to perform for his mother.
"My mom is coming up for the first time," Cook said. "She wanted to get her money's worth with three of us in school."
In the Sage Center for the Arts, a faculty exhibit will also be open, Chairman of the Department of Art Samuel Knecht said.
It showcases current and past faculty's works of art, including the first professor of art at Hillsdale College, George Gardner.
The only fine arts department not featured this weekend will be the theatre department. The music and theatre department divide the two parents weekends, chairman of the department of theatre and speech George Angell said.
"We do spring Parents Weekend," Angell said, noting that the theater department will perform Cymbeline in February.
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