 |
 |
|
Celestine Johnson (left) and Lucy Lui (right), freshmen violin players, rehearse with USF’s new orchestra.
|
Tuning Up
Freshman Elizabeth Cahill sits all alone and she would like some company. The violinist is the only player in USF’s new orchestra who plays in its first violin section. When the score calls for five or six violins to play in unison, Cahill has to cover her part with some help from the flutists.
“We need more of everything,” she said at a recent rehearsal in the choir room of St. Ignatius Church.
Directed by Rebecca Seeman, a part-time music professor and director of the university’s 2-year-old classical choir, members of the revived musical group (USF last had an orchestra in the 1950s) hope to grow it into a tradition on par with other college-level programs in The City, like those at San Francisco State University and the Conservatory of Music.
“This gives the university a diversity of activity and provides an outlet to people with special talents,” said freshman Celestine Johnson, a violinist in the second section. “I’m definitely glad it’s here.”
Although the orchestra has doubled its membership since its founding last spring—it currently has 22 players—it is far from the full orchestral complement of 40-45 carried by most college orchestras. Seeman plans to continue sending out USFConnect notices encouraging people to come to rehearsal. She also will send out advertisements in the spring as part of the welcome packages sent to incoming freshmen.
“We’re not a full-sized, bona-fide orchestra but we’re on our way up,” Seeman said. The orchestra is a community ensemble, she said, open to staff, faculty, students, and musicians from outside the campus. For now, Seeman has only student players with a wide range of skills and experience. Her group includes one cellist, a bass, two flutists, and four violins. She also has a brass ensemble that practices on its own and as part of the orchestra.
Tapping out beats and singing melodies, Seeman conducts, instructs, and organizes at the same time. “The challenge is keeping them playing,” she said at a recent rehearsal, turning from one section of the orchestra to another. She also hopes to secure some sound-proof practice rooms on campus.
The orchestra is part of USF’s burgeoning music program. Students can take USF-sponsored music lessons for violin, voice, and piano off campus, and flute lessons are available on campus. Seeman hopes to see more classes offered at the university.
The orchestra plans two concerts this year, on Nov. 23 and May 1 at 8 p.m. in St. Ignatius Church. 
|
