By Rebecca Vikari
The hours and hours of practice pay off in large and small ways. Each day of work is an incremental movement forward. But the movement becomes steps and then strides, culminating in a performance of excellence.
The community will be able to hear some of BYU''s best musicians perform the music that has consumed their lives and formed their passions.
BYU''s Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras will be two of the featured ensembles in the Instrumental Showcase Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Harris Fine Arts Center.
'The symphony orchestra is the next in line for the Philharmonic Orchestra,' said the symphony''s conductor Eric Hansen. 'Many students come here first and then go to the Philharmonic.'
To audition, students prepare a solo of their choice and then are required to do some sight-reading. They perform individually for the faculty member over their instrument and then are placed into the orchestra that fits their skill level.
An orchestra is different from a band in that it is primarily made up of string sections. Violas, violins, cellos and basses are the most common, but a full orchestra includes a wind and percussion section.
The time commitment to an orchestra is great, but Hansen said it is the students'' love for music and discipline that makes them want to participate.
'It is a creative outlet,' Hansen said. 'It is fulfilling and something that they enjoy. It''s a diversion.'
The Symphony Orchestra will be performing two pieces. The first is 'Hungarian Rhapsody' by Liszt and the second will be a suite from 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'
The BYU Philharmonic Orchestra will also be featured in the showcase.
'The Philharmonic is the flagship of the orchestra program at BYU,' said the Philharmonic''s conductor Kory Katseanes. 'Because it''s the best, it is our mission to play the repertoire to get the students at the level where they can audition for professional orchestras when they graduate.'
The Philharmonic has a tradition of excellent players and Katseanes takes the challenge of keeping the performers up to par seriously.
'Most of them have ensemble experience,' Katseanes said. 'They''ve been taking lessons since they were 5 or 6. They''re already at a professional level. That''s part of the reason why the ensembles at BYU are so good; they''ve been at it for a couple of years.'
Students perform for the Philharmonic Orchestra at BYU and use the experience gained here to further their career as professional musicians.
'Our students are winning first-chair positions in many elite graduate schools of music,' Katseanes said. 'It isn''t a preparatory process. ... It''s a simulation process; we play the same music the professionals play. They go play the same kind of music, but they play it with all professional players in professional working positions.'
The Philharmonic will be playing two pieces. The first is 'Overture to Oberon' by Carl Maria von Weber, which is a famous concert overture and will feature several solos by instrumentalists in the orchestra. The second is 'Espa?a' by Emmanuel Chabrier, which is a fantasy piece with Spanish rhythms and sounds.
Katseanes wanted all students to know what an amazing opportunity it can be to attend events like this one.
'There''s so much culture on campus that I think not enough students avail themselves of this chance,' Katseanes said. 'It''s life changing to become a patron of the arts, to understand the impact that music and culture of all kinds can add to your life.'