1 · Performs for schools and social !Unctions ~ J ;) Orchestra seroes a variety ofmusical audiences A very busy ensemble, visible mainly in educational and wedding circles, the string quartet was directed by Dr. Patricia Cox, associate professor of music. Selected from student auditions, this year's group included four upperclassmen: Natasha Tomasi on first violin, Ray Patton on second violin, Shannon Erickson on viola and Daniel Johnston on cello. Unique to this foursome was that none were music majors, but all were in the university's orchestra. "The difference in the orchestra and the quartet is that we get more recognition," Tomasi said. "It is more concentrated. We are able to play some better pieces and it sounds better since we have a smaller group to work with. The level of talent is also higher." The quartet serves the community and the university, functioning on a basis of demand. Performances have contributed to weddings, club banquets, parties ofall kinds, receptions and political rallies. Frequency of rehearsals depends on the demand of performances. When the group is preparing for a performance, theywill rehearse several times a week. "I've made three really good friends through the string quartet, and it's also been a good way to make some money," Johnston said. He also said that his favorite playing engagement was the Kiwanis club meeting "because we got free food." "One of our most interesting performances was the concert we gave for the Black and Gold Banquet," Johnston said. "I couldn't make it, so someone else was playing the cello in my place. When they introduced us, they said that I was actually there, and my dad was in the audience ." Members of the string quartet do make money as a result of performances, but this role surpasses that function. For example, the group performed Christmas music that a Harding student had written in his composition class to help him out with an assignment last fall. They also helped the White County Youth Orchestra with both recruiting and instruction. "I love the excitement that the little kids have for the music," Tomasi said. "It was fun to help channel their energy. They learned to play some ofHandel's 'Messiah.' They also got the opportunity to have some private lessons. " Besides Christmas music, the quartet played a variety of styles of music. In their repertoire were classical, baroque, romantic, pop and traditional selections. "The concertos are fun to play," Tomasi said. "I also love the weddings and the wedding music. Sometimes, whenwe go to weddings , we do a little bit of traveling and I enjoy that, too. "I have gained many good experiences through the string quartet. It has opened many other opportunities," Tomasi said. "The group has great student leadership," Cox said. "They take a lot of initiative and do things on their own. They are great to work with." - Sara VanRheenen University String Quartet. First row: Ray Patton, Natasha Tomasi, Shannon Erickson, Daniel Johnston . Photo by Aaron Gillihan. Youth Corps. First row: Angie McKinney, Philip McKinney, Justin Edmiaston, Darren Knowles, Michelle Perkins, Steven Hovater. Second row: Paul Swaim, Tiffany Fox, Bonnie H ill, Sheila Bagga, Clay Daniel, Laura Hale, Bert Jobe. Third row: Dustin Bartee, Ken McMahan, Janel Cimuchowski, April Gillespie, Stacee Baysinger, Missy Suggs. Fourth row: Jerry Bowling, Mario Arana, Roxy Vik, Brian Watts, Michael Cooper, Dan Stockstill (faculty advisor), R ebecca McLain. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. 210 University String Quartet and Youth Corps
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