Symphony Band performs Saturday

The UW-River Falls music department’s Symphony Band is preparing to perform for the UWRF homecoming.

Directed by Kristin Tjornehoj since 1993, the UWRF Symphony Band plays a wide variety of pieces that represent a large spectrum of time periods. During their performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, four to five pieces will be played.

Future performances will be held on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The cost of all concerts is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for students.

Roughly 40 to 50 students make up the band, with a wide assortment of instruments and class levels. The band meets about three times a week and practices for two hours a day, with one hour practices on Fridays. Although the band consists of mostly music majors, non-majors are welcomed to join.

Tyler Halverson, a fifth year music education major said, “I am in this ensemble because it is a top level ensemble and gives experiences necessary to be a good performer and good eventual music educator.”

The band takes road trips to various concerts and events which provide these select UWRF music students opportunities to perform for a variety of audience members.

According to the UWRF symphonic band website, “This small town school offers quality music, with an abundance of amazing experiences. Teachers work along-side students as mentors and leaders.”

In order to become a part of the band, students must audition for a place. All students are welcome to take place in one of these auditions. The band forms a small community for these students and the upperclassmen help the new members adapt to their environment.

Samantha Johnson, a freshman bassoon player who recently became a member of the band said, “Upper classmen have been really helpful, in and out of the band.” She continued, “The upper classmen encouraged me to audition for the band.”