On Nov. 27, 2023, the Martin Community Orchestra performed a concert in Blankenship Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building.
Dr. Doug Owens, professor of music at UT Martin, has directed the ensemble since the Spring semester of 2022.
When asked what his favorite aspect about directing the Martin Community Orchestra was, Owens said, “It’s not part of my original training. I received my undergraduate degree in music education, and my path was always to become a band director. After that, I directed my graduate focus on performance. I had never conducted a string ensemble before this orchestra. It has been a personal growth experience.”
The recital began with the John Williams Trilogy arranged by Calvin Custer. It is composed of excerpts from three of John Williams’ famous works. It contained themes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones.
The second piece was I’m in the Mood for Love by Jimmy McHugh, arranged by Joe Lippman. This performance included the strings and introduced four wind players- oboe, english horn, french horn and alto saxophone. Daniel Capua, UT Martin music major, was featured as a soloist on alto saxophone, mimicking the great bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker.
The third piece highlighted standard western classical roots with Allegro from the Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin. Bethany Ostenson, a music educator and violinist in the community, soloed on violin. Owens featured an oboe. Perhaps the most challenging in the concert, this piece is very rhythmically active and independent of each part. Owens expressed how proud he is of the ensemble for pulling this piece together, especially without a conductor.
The fourth piece was A Mad Russian’s Christmas by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, arranged by Bob Phillips. This piece offers a rock-n-roll feel to themes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
The last two pieces were conducted by Ostenson, and included members from her private lessons studio. Snow Day by Katie O’Hara Labrie and Joy to the World by George Friedrich Handel were the pieces performed. The orchestra was also accompanied by several UT Martin music majors, both wind and percussion, in the final piece.
Owens expresses how proud he is of the growing ensemble. “The ensemble started with only community members, but as time goes on, we are seeing more and more university students joining.”
The Martin Community Orchestra rehearses weekly at 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The ensemble consists of varying playing levels and is open to community members and students.
