Prelude hosts largest ever group of prospective students

On Feb. 16th, the Paul T. Plew School of Music held its annual Prelude, the “View The U” event for the music department. Prelude is a private concert for prospective music major students designed to give prospective students a taste of what the school has to offer and what ensembles are available to join. The performers showcased works they are currently practicing or gave performed previously.

“Prelude has been an event for at least 20 years,” said Jennifer Ehlen, administrative manager for the music department.

The number of prospective students that register for Prelude fluctuates. This year, 22 students participated.

“It varies drastically. We can have anywhere from 5 to, this time we had 22. This [Prelude] was our largest by far.” Ehlen said.

The ensembles that perform at the Prelude concert vary, based on what ensembles are filled. Usually, at least three different ensembles perform, along with a few soloists. This year, the prospective students saw a glimpse of different forms of ensembles, vocal, strings, piano, drums and an excerpt from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

The Chorale, directed by Dr. Marius Bahnean, performed two songs, along with accompaniment from the Chamber Ensemble, directed by professor Robert Berg. The two ensembles performed Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227, by Johann Sebastian Bach. The sopranos of Chorale sang Vor deinen Thron tret’ ich hiermit, also by Bach, accompanied by the Chamber ensemble. The Chorale sang Unclouded Day, arranged by Shawn Kirchner.

Directed by professor John Hester, the String Ensemble played Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22 (B. 52), I. Moderato by Antonín Dvořák.

There were two piano pieces showcased. Jacob Counts played Prelude in B Minor, Op. 11, No. 1 by Anatoly Lyadov, and Benjamin Zheng played “Embraceable You” by George Gershwin/Earl Wild.

The School of Music’s newest ensemble, Doxology, which is also directed by Dr. Bahnean, sang Salmo 150 by Ernani Aguiar. Of the Doxology, Maddi May, a soprano, sang “Un moto di gioia,” from The Marriage of Figaro, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The Percussion Ensemble, directed by Mark Converse, performed a piece by Scott Harding, called Taiko.

Once the performances were finished, the prospective students were matched with their hosts for the night, as other students would do for the regularly held “View the U” event.