Category: Music

Before attending this concert, I had very few expectations for the China NCPA Orchestra, given that I primarily attend classical orchestra concerts. Though this was my first-ever-attended University Musical Society (UMS) event, my initial expectations were still high.

The spotlight of this performance was placed on Wu Man for her rendition of Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Pipa and String Orchestra. Although I did not feel as much connection with the orchestra in conjunction with the pipa, I was still moved by the energy and passion that was put into the performance nonetheless. A brief background on Wu Man: she has devoted her career to increasing awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions (hence her use of a Chinese lute that dates back about two thousand years). Man also holds the prestigious Musical America’s 2013 Instrumentalist of the Year award. Given this information, it was no surprise to witness how zealous and emotional Man was while performing.

Though my attention was not fully captivated during the entirety of the concert, there were still plenty of noteworthy moments. For instance, the audience was surprised with not just one, but two additional performances after the formal ending of the concert. Unfortunately, some people did miss what I felt to be the most special performance of the entire night if they left early. The very last piece they played affected me much more than any of the other songs throughout the entire program. This was one of those types of musical pieces that makes you forget where you are as if you’ve somehow been transported to some other time and reality. I even noticed myself temporarily close my eyes just to delve further into the music I was experiencing. After a long, busy school day, hearing that orchestrated composition gave me peace of mind. The lasting impression I hold from that concert has set the bar high for many other orchestra performances to come. Overall, I am appreciative of having had the opportunity to attend such a prestigious event that was much different than what I am most used to at the University.

“Sisterhood, Song, and Strength.” I thought about what this title meant to me, as a woman here at the University. With a solid history and prominence here, the Women’s Glee Club hosted its fall performance for the 124th year.

I have previously attended a Men’s Glee Club concert, with this being my first time experiencing the Women’s concert. Although not as much of a crowd, anticipations and crowd enthusiasm were still just as high in comparison to the Men’s. As a tribute to the University’s 200th Anniversary, the women opened with “The University.” They then transitioned to songs which seamlessly incorporated the piano, percussion, small group ensembles, and solos. No song was completely the same as the previous or next song to come. Each song was independent in regards to genre, instrumental accompaniments, and alternating conductors. The last two pieces before intermission are what I felt to be the bulk of their overall theme. “Wanting Memories” was a much more engaging piece than its precursors. This performance orchestrated movement from its members, all whilst one glee member was on the bass and another member on the shaker. It was very interactive; the auditorium was overflowing with energy.

Lastly, “Never Sit Down” was a sentimental, touching, and inspiring song, all while incorporating a small playback into groundbreaking history alluding to powerful women such as Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth. “They didn’t sit down…’cause they were working for their freedom…gonna make this world what I want it to be. Gonna stand up for my equality.” Following such powerful statements, we then heard enticing persuasions such as “Come on little lady, be dainty…take a weight off your feet!” In that moment, we were reminded of the backlash these women took when fighting for their freedom; they (the Man) didn’t want to see women succeed. This piece was critical to the theme of “Sisterhood, Song, and Strength.”

Following intermission, the Women invited the Men’s Glee Club to stage to collaborate on songs that the audience followed along with the texts and translations provided to us in the program.

Subsequently given that it was Game Day, we were left with some special songs to encourage that special Game Day spirit! Before such performances, all alumnae of the Women’s Glee Club from the audience were invited to the stage to help transcend the everlasting support they have for the group and emanate some of that school pride to the audience. The Glee members performed “Yellow and Blue” and of course, the highly anticipated, “Varsity Victors.” Kindly enough, the audience was eventually invited to chant along to the Fight Song. ‘Twas a Game Day well spent!