Symphony Sampler: A harmonious tradition continues under new leadership

The SEMO Symphony Orchestra’s annual Symphony Sampler commenced in Robert F. and Gertrude L. Shuck Music Recital Hall on the River Campus on Sept. 29.

Over the years, this performance has been looked highly upon by community members and students alike. The traditional concert is still going strong under the new Assistant Professor of Low Strings and Director of Orchestra, Dr. Patrick Hopkins.

The performance began with a welcome from Hopkins, thanking the music community and audience members for attending.

“I think it’s really a great way to have new audience members who may have not come to a traditional symphony concert to get their feet [a little] wet and get a sense of how talented our students are,” said Dr. Hopkins after the performance. “Maybe that would attract them to come to our concerts.”

Throughout the performance, Orchestra concert tickets and Holland College of Arts and Media (HCAM) t-shirts were distributed as a raffle to lucky audience winners; another way to promote the SEMO Symphony Orchestra.

The performance consisted of music students and faculty from different instrumental sections of the ensemble, showcasing the unique timbres and versatility of each instrument. Whether as a solo or in a larger group, the audience was able to get a sense of the many sounds that make up the SEMO Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Sophia Han, Associate Professor of Upper Strings and Concertmaster of the Orchestra, explained what the sampler means to her.

“It’s a great way to give back to the community. It’s a free concert, but also an educational one. We get to sparse out the different families of the orchestra,” Han said.

The Symphony Sampler is also extremely important to student performers and educators, giving them a chance to show the community a sense of comradery between and within sections.

Senior biomedical engineering major Margaret Schaffer, who performed with the entire string studio on cello, claims her favorite part of the sampler.

“Seeing each part of the symphony individually, and how it eventually will come together,” Schaffer said.