Symphony orchestra features contest winner

The Marshall University Symphony Orchestra Family Concert took place Tuesday at Smith Music Hall.

The orchestra is composed of about 50 Marshall music students.

The music left the crowd in complete silence during performances, and applause after each song lasted a little longer every time.

Elizabeth Reed Smith conducted the orchestra with Lena Williams playing clarinet. Williams was the winner of the 2015 Young People’s Concert competition sponsored by the Women’s Club of Huntington.

Reagan Miller, a student at Marshall, said the performance was pleasantly surprising.

“I came because of my music class,” Miller said. “It turns out it was really good. I never listened to the classical style of music, but my music appreciation class really made me open my eyes to different styles.”

The concert covered music of the 1700s and the 1800s by Rossini and Mozart.

The style of music changed during the concert and covered music by Khachaturian, Mussorgsky, Glazunov and Fucik.

Amy Andrews, a student at Marshall, said it was great to get these opportunities at Marshall.

“My parents brought me up listening and playing classical music,” Stewart said. “It’s really cool to be able to have a chance to hear it in college too.”

Kaitlyn Clay can be contacted at [email protected].