By Katelyn S. Irons | Echo
The Marion Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) muses on its website that "no dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big." MPO will utilize this theme in their upcoming concert "Variations on a Dream," featuring the Taylor Chorale and assistant professor of music Conor Angell on Oct. 25 in Rediger Auditorium.
Angell and the Chorale will be performing "Five Mystical Songs" by Ralph Vaughan Williams, a 1900s English composer. MPO's board invited Angell to add his voice to the work, which called for a baritone soloist.
This isn't Angell's first collaboration with the MPO.
"I first performed as a soloist with the MPO when I was a student in the music department at Taylor," Angell said.
Since that performance, Angell returned twice as a guest artist, first while finishing his doctorate and second while teaching at Houghton College. He is excited to perform again with the MPO.
"Performing as a guest with an orchestra and chorus of this high caliber is a privilege for me," Angell said. "The music is lyrical, lushly orchestrated and crafted to enhance and convey the meaning of the text."
Angell had a personal response to the words of "Five Mystical Songs." "The text describes the power of music to express God's beauty...," Angell explained. "These dimensions allow me to resonate with this musical work and make it a very meaningful performance for me."
In addition to the Taylor Chorale, the winner of the 2013 MPO Concerto/Aria Competition will be performing Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11 by Chopin.The concert will also feature "Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream," Op. 21 and Symphony No. 5 in D Major, Op. 107 "Reformation."
Tickets are available at the MPO Box Office (765-662-0012) for the general public (adults $20; students $5) and in the Taylor music office (765-998-5232) with a TU ID (adults $10; students $5). Visit the Marion Philharmonic online to check out the rest of this season's performances.
