Horn orchestra soars in Ice Auditorium

Jonathan Williams, News Editor

The Northwest Horn Orchestra composed of French horns and percussionists, lead the audience through pieces that, although different in their tone and time period, showcased the talents of the instrumentalists.

American composer Kerry Turner’s “Farewell To Red Castle” was the first piece that the orchestra played.

The piece had grand unisons by all of the horns at times and was forcefully artistic. The swift movements from the baton of professor of music Joan  Halland Paddock lead the horns through all of the challenges of timing and different entrances for the players.

The next piece “Agnus Dei (Adagio For Strings, Op. 11) composed by Samuel Barber and arranged by Brad Kintscher displayed perfect tone as well as long sonorous notes from all of the horn players.

It was an expressive piece that concluded with a grand unison fermata by all of the horn players.

The final piece before the intermission was “First Suite in E flat” composed by Gustav Holst who is known widely for his composition of “The Planets” and was arranged by Sean Bresemann.

The first movement of the piece “Chaconne” was the first of any of the pieces to have percussion it. The timpani played by Linfield senior Christian Santangelo lead the orchestra through the charging parts of the first movement.

The second and third movements “Intermezzo” and “March” were filled with all of the sounds and excitement that comes with a march such as moving lines, percussion, and soaring notes that Holst is known for producing.

The concert was made possible by the Linfield Lively Arts program, which allows Linfield student musicians to play with a professional musician in an ensemble setting.

Students from Linfield who played in selected pieces in the concert were sophomore Rachel Conway, and seniors Kathleen Greaver, Sasha Meyer and Christian Santangelo.

After the intermission, “Salvation Is Created” composed by the Russian composer Pavel Tchesnokov and arranged by Bryan Doughty brought the orchestra through strong unisons while sustaining a quieting lull.

The famous “Main Title” from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves composed by Michael Kamen and arranged by Evan Kuhlmann lead the orchestra through triumphant musical phrases that were strong and kept marching forward.

Soloist for “Amazing Grace” Eric Grunkemeyer played sweeping and patriotic phrases while joining the orchestra in strong unisons of the well-known piece, which was arranged by Jason Wyse.

The concert concluded with Phantom of the Opera’s “Music Of The Night” composed by the famous musical composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and was arranged by Brad Kintscher.

“Music Of The Night” led the audience through enchanting, soaring, and masquerade-like tones. Its joyous ending fermata brought the concert in Ice Auditorium to a final close.