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October 18, 2023
SIU String Orchestra brings in ‘Autumn Serenades’ on Sunday
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The string orchestral talents of Southern Illinois University Carbondale students and faculty will help audiences ease into the fall on Sunday, Oct. 22.
The recently formed SIU String Orchestra will perform the works of composers Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler and Carl Nielsen at 2 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium and feature 25 students, three SIU School of Music faculty and four guest artists.
The SIU School of Music’s string department “strongly believes in the value of having students perform with seasoned professionals and being influenced by their approach,” said Rossana Cauti, music director and upper strings faculty in the SIU School of Music.
“Rehearsing and performing with SIU professors has given the chance for SIU string students to experience professional rehearsals, expectations and standards.”
Rehearsals have been underway for two months. SIU faculty who will perform are Michael Barta, professor of violin and concertmaster; William Cernota, cello faculty and principal cello, and Cauti, music director.
The repertoire is:
- “Serenade for Strings in E major, Opus 22” by Dvořák.
- “Adagietto from Symphony No. 5” by Mahler, arranged by Samuele Amidei.
- “Kleine Suite, Opus 1” by Nielsen.
SIU Youth Orchestra performs Oct. 28
On Oct. 28, the SIU Youth Orchestra will present a concert featuring selected piano soloists and faculty from the Illinois Federation of Music Clubs. There are over 50 students from Carbondale and the region involved, Cauti said. The performance is at 2 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium.
The SIU Youth Orchestra is the pre-college division of the SIU String Orchestra. The ensemble, founded by Cauti in 2021, receives instruction from SIU String Faculty and performs regularly. Auditions are open twice a year, and applicants are encouraged to inquire for more info at rossana.cauti@siu.edu or music@siu.edu.
The repertoire for the October 28th concert will be:
- “Serenade for String in D minor, Opus 36” by Julius Beliczay.
- “Rumanian Folk Dances” by Béla Bartók.
- “Andante Cantabile from String Quartet No. 1 in D Major” Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
- Arrangements for piano and strings by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Antonio Vivaldi.
Both concerts are free and open to the public.