A Year of Vibrant Music
It’s been an exciting year in Principia’s Music Department—from curtain up at the fall concert to the last performance of the year at the baccalaureate ceremony during graduation weekend.
The choir and orchestra kicked off the year with a concert celebrating the sesquicentennial of the signing of the Civil War Peace Accord. In a unique collaboration with students and faculty from the Theatre and Dance Department, the concert incorporated compelling visual media with music to expand the storytelling nature of the performances and included living portraits depicting circumstances related to the war. The evening culminated in a stirring portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln by former theatre professor Patrick McCreary (C’73) accompanied by the orchestra and followed by the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” sung with the audience.
A Tribute to American Heroes
Several weeks later, Principia hosted a talk by two Apollo 13 astronauts, James A. Lovell and Fred W. Haise, and former NASA Mission Flight Control Director Gene Kranz as part of the George A. Andrews Distinguished Speaker Series. Seizing the opportunity to present a special tribute to these American heroes, the Music Department collaborated with the government documents librarian and Media Services to assemble a special slideshow of photographs and video footage from the Apollo 13 mission. The night of the talk, the College Orchestra performed music from the Apollo 13 film to accompany the projected photos and video clips. The result was a powerful and emotional tribute.
The Apollo speakers’ appreciation for this performance led them to request a reprise in May when they addressed the University of Arkansas, so the orchestra recorded the music for the audience of over 2,500 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
An Array of Student Performers
During the fall semester, the Music Department presented a special Composers Concert, which featured original music by freshman James Skinner, junior Nate Schuck, sophomore Matt Christianson, and senior Dani McKenzie. A multimedia ensemble rounded out the evening.
In March, Principia’s Jazz Ensemble traveled south to experience the music and culture of New Orleans at the French Quarter Jazz Festival. While there, the five-member ensemble and director Dr. Joe Van Riper, who is Music Department chair, gave a rousing performance at Music Legends Park on Bourbon Street.
The final choir and orchestra concert of the year opened with a series of spirituals and folk songs from the College Choir. Next, the orchestra’s performance included selections from Disney’s Fantasia, coordinated with images from the original film.
As if this weren’t enough, weekly Music at Davis concerts provided a performance venue for students taking individual lessons and rehearsing with ensembles. And Principia’s Concert Series brought professional instrumental and vocal musicians to campus throughout the year, including internationally renowned organist Dr. Douglas Cleveland, the Delphi Trio, and concert pianist Eric LeVan.
“This truly was an amazing year for the College Music Department,” says Van Riper. “We are so proud of our students and grateful for the wonderful opportunities that Principia provides our musicians.”
Principia’s concerts are broadcast live to a worldwide audience on Principia Internet Radio. You can find recordings of some of them here.