FSU’s Department of Music Presents the String Ensemble

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Frostburg State University’s Department of Music presented a String Ensemble conducted by Dr. Karen Lau. The event was held in the Pealer Recital Hall of the Woodard D. Pealer Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. and was free and open to the public.

Frostburg’s Music Department was joined by the Allegany Community Orchestra, conducted by Lee Ann O’Brien-Riley and Pat Aaron. The night’s special guests were the Heimat Quartet. The Heimat Quartet consists of violinists Patrick Shaughnessy and Aubrey Holmes, cellist Brandon Phelps and violist Ivan Mendoza.

The members of FSU’s String Ensemble are Rebecca Bensavage and Maria Salinas (violin), Emily Pyles (viola), Maggie Malat, Maeci Curtis and Miranda Moss (cello), Elijah Jones and Sarah Sayer (double bass).

The Allegany Community Symphony Orchestra personnel include James Boyd, Rebecca Bensavage, Charlene Moon, Chassady Redhead, Patricia Aaron, Ivana Clifford, Robert Larivee, Qin Lu and Nicki Stouffer (violin). Cellists Nick Buentello, Leonardo Cage, Clare Cooper, Felicia Burger Johnston, and Lee Ann O’Brien-Riley. The clarinetists are Madison Emerick, Jin Hyung Kang, and Jean Miller. Other members include Duane Frederick (viola), Jay Moon (double bass), Joe Mcdaniel (bassoon), Susan Wineke (oboe), Charlotte Nicholson (horn), and Kathleen Crump and Rebecca Eanes (flute).

Allegany’s Community Orchestra is a volunteer orchestra based in Cumberland, Md. The orchestra hosts two concerts a year, one in May and one in December. People of all ages and are welcomed to join the orchestra, all that is needed is a deep passion for music.

The FSU String Ensemble performed “Toucan Tango” by Bob Phillips (b. 1953); “Adagio Cantable” from Sonata “Pathetique” by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), arranged by Carrie Lane Gruselle; and “Concerto Grosso, Op. 6” “Christmas Concerto” by Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713), arranged by Clark McAlister. The Heimat Quartet with Dr. Karen Lau performed the “String Quintet in C Major, D. 956” by Franz Schubert (1797-1828).

The String Ensemble was a great performance and I would recommend this to any music lovers or those who are looking for more events on campus. I think those who want to gain a deeper appreciation for classical music will enjoy events like this.

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.