The Underappreciated Music Department

By: Honor Tamminga

Illustrated by: Carla Cieza

I sit in a squeaky chair near the front of Bauman Auditorium and close my eyes as the orchestra begins to tune. It’s the end of another long week, and what better way to spend this Friday evening than at a George Fox University (GFU) concert?

The GFU music department concerts are attended mostly by parents who can afford to make the trip, music faculty, and a few select students who have friends performing. But Bauman Auditorium is far from full capacity. A few greeters stand outside the doors with a small stack of programs, and they don’t seem worried about running out.

So far this semester, I have attended concerts for the GFU band, the choir (of which I am a member), the chamber choir, the orchestra, and the jazz band. These five ensembles are distinct from one another and each have performed at least once.

Anyone who was in Canyon Commons when the jazz band played there knows how fun it is to listen to a live jazz concert. And yet, many students didn’t even know about the more recent jazz band performance in Bauman.

The jazz band members are skillful and full of fun. Whether they are soloing and making up a part on the spot, or playing the main melody, the music they are creating has vitality. They play chords and notes that not only sound good together, but exhibit a primary feature of jazz music: tension and resolution.

The choir, band, and orchestra members are extremely accomplished in their respective musical disciplines. Under the tutelage of such instructors as Dr. Dwayne Corbin, Dr. Danielle Warner, and the other music faculty, GFU students excel in producing quality music.

When I went to the orchestra performance, I couldn’t help but notice the music had a conversational quality. The violins seemed to be speaking to the cellos, with the brass instruments interjecting every once in a while.

With choral music, of course, there is the element of text that accompanies melodies and adds meaning and emotion to already beautiful music. Some of the music is sacred and displays the God-honoring beliefs upheld at GFU. Some songs are contemporary and upbeat.

The band played several smaller ensemble pieces at their performance. These highlighted the many instruments in the band and allowed each section to display their unique sounds.

The music department will be performing a Christmas concert on Dec. 10, 11, and 12. Families and friends will be coming to support their well-loved performers. Other GFU students may come to this concert and see what the GFU music department has to offer.

I hope that those who are able to make it to this larger concert will be compelled to attend the smaller ones as well. There is beautiful music to hear and there are fellow students to cheer on. These smaller concerts are free for all to attend. There are evenings of quality entertainment offered in Bauman Auditorium on many Friday nights, and more individuals should take the opportunity to participate.