December 2, 2002

Symphony Orchestra's fall performance is a classical act

The Symphony Orchestra at California State University, Sacramento is fine tuning its performance of classical pieces including Johannes Brahms Academic Festival Overture, and Joseph Suk's Serenade for Strings for its second fall concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 10.

Richard Strauss' Rosenkavalier Suite will be the orchestra's most challenging piece according to Peter Nowlen, conductor and professor of music. The substantial technical parts and romantic stylized parts make it passionate and difficult, he says.

The orchestra will also perform CSUS faculty emeritus Daniel Kingman's Sinfonia Breve. Kingman first composed the piece in honor of Harry Newstone's opening season as conductor for the Sacramento Symphony in 1965. In the original program notes, Kingman confided that "the first three measures-and the essence and basic design of the pieces-I found while taking a walk by the American River one morning last June."

A blend of youth and experience, the 60-member orchestra is comprised almost entirely of music majors. It includes four high school students enrolled in the Accelerated College Entry program and 10 freshman violinists as well as graduate students who also perform with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Napa Symphony. "These performers are the best I've observed in my 12 years at the University," Nowland says. "They generate a lot of excitement."

Tickets for the performance are $8 general and $5 for the students and seniors. They are available at the CSUS ticket office at 278-4323, or at the door one hour prior to the performance.

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