Orchestra welcomes faculty, alumni to horn celebration

Celebrating the horn and composer Robert Schumann, the Rowan University Orchestra shares the stage with a guest horn quartet on Tuesday, October 19 at 8 pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall. The performance concludes two days of programming, with master classes and educational opportunities in addition to the concert.

A highlight of the evening features horn professor Karl Kramer leading a quartet - himself and three graduates of the university, Kevin Kozak, Kathryn Mehrtens and Patrick Milando – in performing Schumann’s “Konzertstück” for Four Horns and Orchestra. The orchestra also presents Respighi’s “Pines of Rome.”

Kramer notes that the renowned German composer and quintessential Romantic called the horn section “the soul of the orchestra.”

“In his symphonic writing, the horn section guards the emotional core of the work,” Kramer explains. “’Now what happens when you bare your soul for all to see?’ This seems to have been Schumann’s goal – he was a deeply personal composer.  And so it follows that one of his orchestral explorations would have to be a piece where the horn section is featured in a role where it is literally brought to the edge of the stage.  It is a bold move on the composer’s side and the piece occupies a unique place in the horn repertoire.”

In conjunction with this performance, Rowan offers two masterclasses for aspiring horn-players on October 18 and 19, between 4:30 and 8 pm each day.  These sessions focus on the physical aspects of “bringing the soul to the edge of the stage”: sound production, articulation and performance preparation. A round-table discussion will cover topics such as “What are the demands a professional horn player must be prepared to meet?” and “How does one prepare for a life as a horn player?” There will be opportunities for ensemble playing, prepared together with current horn students at Rowan and presented in a “preview” concert immediately preceding the October 19 evening concert. Additionally, participants can attend the concert dress rehearsal on Monday evening. For more information on the masterclasses, contact Karl Kramer at monikarl@bestweb.net.

Pfleeger Concert Hall is located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for seniors, non-Rowan students, faculty and staff. Rowan students are admitted free . Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rowan students are admitted free with valid ID. For directions and additional information, contact the box office at (856)-256-4545 or visit www.rowan.edu/fpa.