Though Family Weekend is primarily associated with introducing students’ families to the Rensselaer campus and aspects of student life, it can also be an opportunity for students themselves to get acquainted with what our campus offers. There are always a variety of events to attend, but one of the more significant this Fall Fest was the Rensselaer Music Association Concert Series held in the McNeil Room both Friday and Saturday nights.
The first half of the RMA Concert Series kicked off Friday night with “Bachground Music” from the Clarinet Choir, directed by Charlie Scaringello ’05. Though it seemed they started their show early, the music was a nice touch to welcome audience members as they were being seated. They performed three pieces, including “Bradenburg Concerto 3 (1st Movement)” which was originally by Bach and arranged by Russell Howland.
The Symphony Orchestra, led by conductors Professor David Gibson and Scaringello, followed by performing Beethoven’s notable “Symphony No. 5,” but also thrilled the audience with their rendition of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” arranged by John Whitney. This piece was a medley of all Lord of the Rings songs, and they were accompanied by a vocalist. The audience responded well to both pieces, but really seemed to enjoy the latter as the LOTR has become very well-known.
The Symphonic Band, directed by Robert Button, continued the show with two pieces by Bach and two pieces by Wagner. The audience seemed very impressed by the band, despite not immediately recognizing the songs they played. Some of this enthusiasm could be attributed to nature of a symphonic band, in that they are similar to a high school ensemble featuring woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
The final group in the more formal concert session was the Jazz Ensemble, also directed by Button. The crowd responded well to the jazz music, especially since the ensemble put on one of their best shows. Almost all of the songs they performed were originals or arranged by Button. Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of their show, however, was the talent displayed by solo artists. In particular, there was an amazing solo performed on the clarinet that made some audience members wish they had recorded the concert.
After the jazz music was finished, people started to clear out and chairs were moved to open up the dance floor. The Campus Serenaders, a swing band directed by John Wason ’06, were the closing act for the first night. Playing classics such as “In the Mood,” “Moondance,” and “Zuit Suit Riot,” the Serenaders had much of the crowd on their feet. They were also accompanied by the Ballroom Dance team, who were not only dancing to get their name out, but were also willing to teach audience members how to swing dance. This high-energy show ended with an amazing harmonica solo that could give John Popper a run for his money.
The second night did not include as many groups, but it was still a good turnout, especially as parents showed up to support their children. The first of the three groups was the Percussion Ensemble, which immediately got the crowd moving around to the performance. “Marimba Gahu” by Mark Foster and arranged by Rich Albagli captivated the crowd the most both physically and spiritually. The looks on most faces were those of a deep musical trance as people felt ultimately connected to the rhythms.
The Brass Quintet, also led by Robert Button, was the second group to perform. They played three lesser known pieces, including one that was actually a combination of “Almand” and “Gaillard” by William Brade. It appeared as though most of the older members in the audience had the greatest appreciation for the quintet, as brass instruments have been an integral part of music from the beginning.
The final group to perform in the concert series was the Concert Choir led by John Nethaway and accompanied by Andrea Merrill. Their six songs ranged in content from the Beatles classic “Can’t Buy Me Love” to the traditional spiritual “Wade in the Water” arranged by Moses Hogan. The choir was a very fitting finale to the series as it went from a mellow beginning to the exciting jazz and swing music back down to a peaceful send off to enjoy the rest of Family Weekend.
Overall, both nights were very well received and all groups were able to captivate the audience with their unique musical abilities. Not only was RMA able to put together a main part of the Fall Fest activities, they were also able to introduce musical groups to the community. Although they are under the Union’s guidance, RMA is a student-run organization, and it was obvious that a lot of time and effort went into the planning and execution of these concerts.
For more information on all of the musical groups that students can join, you could stop by West Hall or visit http://rma.union.rpi.edu/. The RMA is also currently working on a database of all musicians on campus, so if you are interested in joining, e-mail RMAatRPI@gmail.com including your name and instrument played/vocal part. Everyone is also encouraged to try out for all groups in following semesters, especially trombone players, who are always in need.
