THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013
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PAGE 3
CAMPUS
Musical opportunities open to all students
VIKAAS SHANKER
vshanker@kansan.com
The timbre of the flute cadenza at the end of Symphonic Sketches from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story gave pre-pharmacy major Connor Bowman a sense of warmth whenever he heard it played by the KU Symphonic Orchestra (KUSO) in Lawrence or Kansas City, Mo.
The cadenza signaled the death of Tony, the Romeo-esque protagonist in the Shakespeare-inspired musical, after he was shot realizing his love, Maria, was still alive. Bowman, a sophomore from Lenexa, listened to this not from the audience, but from the stage as the principal flutist in the orchestra.
"I'm the only one playing, and that feeling is really cool," said Bowman, who is also working toward a music minor. "There's a moment when it resonated throughout the hall. I just stopped to take it in: embodying death in front of the audience."
It's not very common to have a non-music major play a solo or serve as the leader of an instrumental section in an audition ensemble at the University. In fact, less than 10 percent of the KU audition ensembles are non-music majors.
"Music majors are required to be in one of the ensembles, but you don't need to be a music major to be a part of it. It's a matter of passing the audition."
Neely said KUSO has a heavy practice workload and that the music and class is geared toward music majors. However, auditions are blind and seating is decided by the quality of the auditions. By achieving the principal seat, Bowman said the judges thought he played the best flute audition.
"It could mean that we don't feel the same pressure as music majors," Bowman said. "We're doing it for enjoyment, and we do it because it's something that we love to do."
"The audition process is the same process during the first week of class," said David Neely, the director of orchestral activities.
University Band seats. The Kansas Marching Band is also a nonaudition group.
"It's not about what your major is, it's about do you love playing," Toulouse said.
Holly Good, a sophomore in chemistry from Shawnee still feels nostalgic for her time playing flute and piccolo in high school, but now plays in University Band.
"I miss playing in a group." Good said. "This is just an hour once a week, not a big time commitment."
She took University Band for no credit because to her, it was fun and relaxing.
"Sometimes I'm stressed out
Parker Riley, a freshman in computer science, plays saxophone in University Band.
when I come in, but it takes your mind off things." Good said.
"I've played for eight years, and I wanted to keep playing." Riley said. "I knew it just wouldn't overload my schedule. I haven't had to practice too much for this music. I just enjoy it."
Nothing is official yet, but Neely said there could be more opportunities for non-music
NON-MAJOR ORCHESTRA ON HORIZON
majors who want to join orchestra in the future.
"One of the things we're looking at are options for some kinds of ensembles for non-major students," Neely said.
Right now, KUSO is the only departmental orchestra ensemble.
"It would probably be good," Bowman said. "I don't know if it would get people to go to more lessons and things like that. But I think it's a good idea."
BAND FOR NON-MAJORS
— Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
Sharon Toulouse, assistant director of bands, said some music students also play in multiple ensembles with primary and secondary instruments. Band has two ensembles that are audition-only: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Those two also have blind auditions.
"We don't care if you are a music major or not," Toulouse said. "Even if that doesn't work, there's the opportunity to be in University Band."
This is a no-audition, sign-up ensemble that performs once every semester. Music majors only fill five to 10 percent of the
Pitch Perfect
While music majors are required to perform in one of the University's ensembles, non-music majors can join as well. Blind auditions for most ensembles commence this week, so contact the ensemble coordinator as soon as possible if you are interested in joining.
BANDS
Wind Ensemble (BAND 202/802):
0-1 credit; Audition for wind and
percussion; MWF 2-3.50 p.m.
Contact Director of Bands, Paul W.
Douglas, nponiel@ku.edu
Popiel, ppopiel@ku.edu
Symphonic Band (BAND 204/404):
0-1 credit; Audition for freshmen
and sophomore wind and percussion; MWF 2-3.50 p.m.; Contact Associate Director, of Bands Matthew Smith, manss希@ku.edu
ORCHESTRA
University Band (BAND 206/406):
0-1 credit; Non-audition for wind and percussion; TR 4-5.15 p.m.; Contact Assistant Director of Bands, Sharon
Toulouse, stoulouse@ku.edu
University Symphony Orchestra (ORCH 200/600):
0-1 credit, Audition for strings, wind
and percussion; M/TR 4-5:50 p.m.
Contact Director of Orchestra
Activities David Dodd, dodd@sunny.edu
ku.edu
Sources: University music department website, University schedule of classes
STUDENT SENATE
Trees planted on newly renovated Wescoe Beach
jhlavacek@kansan.com
JOANNA HLVACEK
Students returning from winter break will be greeted by a more beautiful Wescoe Beach. Several trees were planted in front of the remodeled terrace Wednesday as
part of Student Senate's Wescoe Beach Renovation Project.
This is the final segment of the $250,000 initiative, which included the installation of 12 seat-walls, LED lighting and 10 electrical outlets on Wescoe Beach last semester. There will be 12 trees total, with a
few held back at the moment for trimming and other preparations.
The trees were originally slated for planting early last semester, but plans were delayed due to unseasonably warm weather conditions, said Allison Gerth, a planning and landscape architecture assistant with the Office of Design and Construction Management.
"They have to be dug up from the nursery when they're dormant before they're transplanted to their new location," Gerth said. "It limits the shock on the tree."
locusts and giant elms will start showing more green foliage later this spring.
Gerth said the thornless honey
Edited by Allison Kohn
Welcome back to campus, Jayhawks! There are only 39 days of classes left until spring break and 73 days of classes left until Ston Dav.
POLICE REPORTS
Information based on the Douglas County Sheriff's Office booking recap.
- A 21-year-old male was charged with the rape of an unconscious person on the 4000 block of Bob Billings on Sunday. There is no bond set.
- A 30-year-old male was arrested yesterday on the 1700 block of W. 24th for domestic battery. No bond was set.
- A 29-year-old female was arrested Sunday on the 3100 block of Ousdahl Road for one count of theft. The stolen items were valued to $100. She was released on a $100 bond.
*A 22-year-old male was arrested Sunday on the 500 block of Eldridge Street for disorderly conduct. He was released on a $100 bond.
● A 42-year-old male was arrested Sunday on the 800 block of Massachusetts Street for theft. The stolen property was valued at $1500. No bond was set.
- A 29-year-old male was arrested Sunday on the 2500 block of Redbud Lane for aggravated robbery. He was also charged with aggravated burglary and the obstruction of the legal process. No bond was set.
Allison Kohn