Review |
The patriotic concert began with the Intermediate
String Orchestra and the Bridgeway drama class presenting musical skits
about the founding of America. The children were costumed in
18th-century dress, either British or pilgrim. Three little Indians
enacted the dumping of tea to demonstrate against taxation without
representation. The adorable children sang with high, clear voices.
Kaj Jakobsen, a senior who will be leaving the orchestra
this year, joined by the Fifth Street Ensemble, played the violin solo
in Fritz Kreisler’s "Praeludium" and "Allegro." This piece has been
played by violin virtuosos the world over and is considered one of the
great standards of violin music. Kaj Jakobsen showed his immense talent
last night in playing this piece of music.
The Symphony Orchestra took the stage next for the
remainder of the evening, with Marjorie Hartung conducting, bringing old
favorites to the house: "The Star-Spangled Banner," the "Armed Forces
Salute," and ending with "Stars and Stripes Forever." There were a
couple of pieces which may not have been as familiar: Dvorak’s
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World,” conducted
brilliantly by Wayland Whitney, and "Hymn to the Fallen," by John
Williams, conducted by Ben Hartung.
During the playing of the Armed Forces Salute,
veterans of the five service branches, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force,
Navy, and Marines were asked to stand while that service’s official song
was played. Proceeds from this Memorial Day concert were donated to the
veterans' organization, “Homes for Our Troops.” |