Bemidji State University's Chamber Orchestra recently had the privilege of hosting acclaimed Juilliard composer Eric Ewazen for a special performance and collaborative learning experience. This unique opportunity allowed the student musicians to delve deeper into Ewazen's compositions, gaining invaluable insights from the composer himself.

Unlocking the Artistry Within

Mastering the Intricacies of Orchestral Performance

Preparing for an orchestra concert is a multifaceted endeavor, requiring meticulous attention to detail and a harmonious collective effort. The Bemidji State University Chamber Orchestra faced this challenge head-on, meticulously learning new music and honing their ensemble skills to deliver a captivating performance. As Assistant Professor of Music Eric Olson explained, "There's a lot that goes into an orchestra concert: learning new music, working on sounding good as a collective, and, of course, playing in front of a real audience."

Embracing the Composer's Vision

The presence of the composer, Eric Ewazen, added a unique dimension to the orchestra's preparation. Olson noted, "When Mr. Ewazen in comes in, he gets to give kind of the finishing touch, the polish on the work so that we can do it the way that he intended it to be done." This direct interaction with the composer allowed the student musicians to gain a deeper understanding of the artistic intent behind the music, enabling them to bring Ewazen's compositions to life with greater authenticity and expression.

Fostering Artistic Growth and Inspiration

For the Bemidji State University students, the opportunity to learn from a renowned composer like Ewazen was a truly transformative experience. As Music Education Grad Student Seth Freundschuh expressed, "It's fun to have them bring their depth of knowledge and their vision for a piece which can be very different from what ours is, and give that to us and help us change it and evolve it into what they're looking for." This collaborative process not only enhanced the students' technical skills but also ignited their artistic passion, as evidenced by Chamber Orchestra member Emma Niessink's sentiment: "An honor, I would say, is what it is to be playing for him, just because as students, we're not there yet. We're not professionals. You know, this is something that we're all here to learn. And so it's cool to see a role model, have an inspiration, and kind of show us what we can do."

Mutual Enrichment and Artistic Exploration

The collaboration between the Bemidji State University Chamber Orchestra and composer Eric Ewazen proved to be a mutually enriching experience. Ewazen himself expressed his delight in witnessing the students' interpretations of his works, stating, "Sometimes I hear them do new things that I hadn't thought about before, and I find that very cool. So it's just interacting. The rehearsals I've been hearing are just outstanding! It's not just learning the notes and playing them, but they give their kind of heart and soul to the music. They're really being very expressive. So it's a great experience."This unique partnership between the university's talented musicians and the acclaimed Juilliard composer not only elevated the orchestral performance but also fostered a profound artistic exchange, inspiring both the students and the composer to explore new creative frontiers.