Forced inside by gloomy spring weather, the first performance of the new student run instrumental ensemble Pro Musica filled the Top of the Hop with the strains of brass, wind, percussion and chorus. Erik Ochsner '93, founding music director of the ensemble, conducted the Grande Symphonie Funbre et Triomphale by Hector Berlioz.
The ensemble, composed of over thirty musicians and a chorus of nine singers, was recruited from such established campus musical groups as the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, the Handel Society and the Chamber Singers. "Somehow, all of these people found time to make some more music with us," Ochsner said.
The performance began energetically with Fanfare, the Brass Opening of Tuba Mirum from Grand Messe de Morts, "Requiem," opus 5, by Berlioz.
The central piece of the concert, the Grande Symphonie, performed in three movements, calls for an optional chorus during the last movement; the Apotheose, or Glorification. In order to further showcase the talents of Pro Musica's choral ensemble, Ochsner added the piece Virga Jesse, a Motet for four part choir by Anton Bruckner.
Alyson Spencer '93 performed an impressive trumpet solo during the third movement of the Grande Symphonie, the Orasion Funbre, or Funeral Sermon.
Pro Musica was conceived at the end of Winter term, and the ensemble had its first rehearsal on April 3. Ochsner, who had the original idea for the ensemble, said that he contacted as many people as he knew who participated in musical activities.
"I don't see this orchestra as an orchestra in competition with other ensembles, but another opportunity to enjoy music," Ochsner said.
"A student-run ensemble of this size I think is new to the area. There have been brass quintets and woodwind quintets," Ochsner said.
Ochsner, a music major who has served as assistant conductor of the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra, plays piano, harpsichord, flute, piccolo, as well as being a tenor and conductor.
He said that he has considered producing parts of Handel's Solomon next year, a piece for orchestra, chorus and soloists. He is not sure if the venture will be part of Pro Musica.
Next year's project would be for credit and funded, while Pro Musica was self-funded and the performers received no credit.
