The parking lot was full of cars, the lobby of the auditorium was full of people, the air was full of music, the Auburn Junior High School Performing Arts Center was not full of audience members. And that was a shame because both bands gave great performances of some eclectic yet enjoyable pieces of music.
The concert hall itself was very appealing - large, open and dark, save for the brightly lit stage that was crowded with the Auburn High School Wind Symphony. The swell of chaotic noise, familiar to any who have been to a concert like this before, rose as they all warmed up in the same key. All except for the flutes who struggled a little.
They had figured it out by the time the conductor took the stage. She was brisk and formal and pushed them into their first song, “British Eighth” by Zo Elliott, a quick hitter that engaged the audience and prepared them for the next song.
Unfortunately, during this piece, it became apparent that there were large air vents in the auditorium that took away from the stillness of a normal concert hall. In many concert halls, the room is quiet, built to amplify the music emanating from the stage and nothing else, but here the air vents distracted the audience’s focus from the music.
The next song was also the best of the night. Called “October” by Eric Whitacre, the song was soft but also powerful, happy but in a bittersweet way. Despite the noisy room and restless audience, the music was moving as only the best songs are.
As for the Auburn High School Wind Symphony, they played excellently. The oboist in particular did a very good job in this piece and was very impressive.
The end of this piece concluded the high school’s performance and they quickly made way for the University Symphonic Winds. As there should have been, there was a briskness to the university student’s movements, more used to performing, more confident in their skills.
One could easily hear their technical mastery in their play, and under the direction of guest conductors Dr. Eric Peterson and Deanna Marshall, they sounded like professional musicians. The set they played was very enjoyable, including pieces such as the well-known “West Side Story” by Leonard Berstein and the unorthodox “Skronk” by John Frantzen.
It really was a shame that more people did not attend the free concert. The symphonic winds concert by both Auburn High School and Auburn University was a great experience with great music, only slightly bogged down by the loud room and restless audience.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
