UNC’S MUSICAL AMBASSADORS

The UNC orchestra so impressed people in the region of Aragon, Spain in 2003 that they were asked to perform again this year. Director Russell Guyver and the orchestra recently returned from the invitation-only Cycle of International University Orchestras, sponsored by the University of Zaragoza and the government in Aragon.

The orchestra, which is made up of more than 70 freshmen up to doctoral students, performed at three very unique venues for local residents. The sixth annual series was designed to complement the fine visual arts program in Zaragoza, Professor Guyver explains.

“Music hasn’t been big in that particular region of Spain, so this is their solution to that,” he says. The students, he adds, were exemplary diplomats of our country.

Guyver felt it was important to perform music from both cultures, so UNC’s Jonathan Leathwood accompanied the orchestra for a traditional Spanish piece, and another by American composer Samuel Barber was selected.

“We had tremendous financial support from President Norton here at UNC, and Provost Huang, and Dean Svedlow of the College of Performing and Visual Arts. Between them they found enough    money to really reduce the cost for the students,” Guyver says.

The trip was well organized, he says. The group was met at the Madrid airport and taken by bus to the ancient city of Zaragoza, which is the gateway to the Pyrenees. The hosts put the orchestra members up in a hotel, fed them, and coordinated sponsors for the run-out concerts to three venues: an historic church in Teruel; the Teatro de Bellas Artes in Tarazona; and finally the Sala Mozart, a magnificent 1600-seat concert hall in Zaragoza.

The orchestra was enthusiastically received in each town. In fact, Guyver notes that UNC was invited to accompany an orchestra from Valencia for the World Expo, which will be held in Zaragoza in 2008. He hopes the trip will become a reality but anticipates bringing a smaller group.

DOWN BEAT Magazine has named UNC as Best College Orchestra for the 5^th time! Each student receives an award certificate. Congratulations Professor Guyver and the incredible musicians in the UNC Orchestra!

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SPAIN TRIP: ORCHESTRA STUDENT PERSPECTIVES

GARY MAYNE, SENIOR, TROMBONE
What struck you most about the venues?

The age—that’s what hit me first; how old everything is. There’s so much history. The first church we played in was built in 8th or 9th century.

How would you describe the audience in Spain?

Attentive is probably the best word. And interested and gracious.

What did you enjoy most?

In addition to playing the concerts, walking around and seeing how people live their lives in a different part of the world. They seem to kind of enjoy their time a little more. They’re not in such a hurry. Here’s a good example: there aren’t any coffee places over there where you can get something “to go.” You go and you sit for a few minutes; you just stop what you’re doing. Not better necessarily, just very different. Noticeable.

KIM HAIN, MASTER OF MUSIC, VIOLIN
How did this experience impact your outlook on the music business?

It gives me so much more respect for groups that travel. The acoustics at Zaragoza were amazing, but at the church the sound was like playing in a bathroom. The other place was the opposite—very dry. The diversity in acoustics caused us to step up because we wanted to put our best foot forward.

Did it make you want to travel more?

My initial goal is to have options and perhaps be a college professor. Students are just discovering what’s so great about the orchestra for the first time at the college level. Being in Spain was really invigorating as a performer, to get that kind of energy from the crowd. It was really good for perspective—reminds me to find the people who are interested and impacted. I’m encouraged!

MOLLY CROWELL, SENIOR, VIOLIN
What went through your mind as you played for this new audience?

It felt surreal. We were playing the same notes as before, but it was a different feeling—like it was not the same music. Everybody’s energy was feeding off the audience and probably the most beautiful places we’ll probably ever play in our lives.

What kind of group bonding happens on a trip like that?

Over here we see each other around Frasier Hall, but it’s so different when you’re doing everything with these people. It brings everybody a lot closer. We got to know Dr. Guyver better, and Jonathan (Leathwood). We know each other from our passion for music, which bonds us; but we got to know each other’s differences too, which was really cool. It feeds the energy when we’re playing. I’d look back to my section and see everyone with a smile on their face ready to play. It changed the music. We just loved being there.