2008 Woodie Awards
Larson: Symphony is professional quality
Community Music School
By: Deena Watts
Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: LifeStyle
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The Webster University Symphony includes Webster University students, Community Music School members, various professional musicians and conductor/music director Allen Carl Larson. Larson has led the symphony for the last 34 seasons.
The full symphony orchestra played to an audience of about 70 people.
Larson said the collaboration of performers not only creates a more professional sound, but serves students with a unique exposure.
"This symphony is St. Louis Symphony quality," Larson said. "Students in general learn faster and better when they are sitting next to pros. (Students) learn by watching people who know what they are doing. It's truly terrific."
The featured performances Oct. 15 were Dances of Galanta, written by Zoltan Kodaly; an interpretation of Piano Concerto No. 2 in C. Minor, originated by Sergei Rachmanioff; and a solo by pianist Robin Jerkins.
Jerkins, a 17-year-old CMS scholarship recipient, performed after winning a yearly competition held by CMS. The contest requires students ages 12 to 17 to send demos to Larson. Three or four contenders are chosen to audition before CMS committee members.
Brandon Culletti, a 27-year-old audience member, said Jerkins' performance showed musical ability beyond her years.
"(Jerkins) absolutely blew my mind," Culletti said. "I cannot believe how talented she is. She is definitely one of those who is going to go far."
The Webster University Symphony performed a rendition of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, "From the New World."
The concert marked the third to last E. Desmond Lee auditorium. The CMS is moving to Webster University's home campus in Webster Groves. While the lower classroom level of the CMS opened Oct. 14, the new upper-level auditorium will open in May, thus giving orchestral performers a new venue.
Larson said he hopes the quality of the sound will be high in the new auditorium.
"As long as there are good acoustics, I will be fine," Larson said.
Webster University Symphony Orchestra performer Nikki Evans, a freshman music education major, said she looks forward to all of the gas money she will save when the orchestra switches venues.
"I'm really excited (about the move to the main campus), because that means I don't have to drive all the way out to University City anymore," Evans said.
The last three performances to be held in the E. Desmond Lee auditorium will be Nov.19, Feb.18 and March 18. The first CMS performance will be held April 22.
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