Media Credit: Matthew Hill Conductor Gary Brandes leads the University Symphonic Band in its first preformance of the season at the Touhill PAC. University Symphonic Band launched their concert season with a well-received performance on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Touhill Performing Arts Center. The season opening concert was a success, with the musicians garnering a standing ovation. While the University Symphonic Band earned high marks, the Touhill PAC acoustics failed the test.

It is a shame that the hard work of 59 musicians was not served well by the acoustics of the Touhill’s Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. Though it is a beautifully constructed hall with wonderful woodwork to accentuate the music, the cement floors of the seating area did nothing but amplify every dropped mobile phone, squeaky seat and talkative child in the audience.

It was not until the last piece, “Rush” composed by Samuel Hazo, that the symphony was given the opportunity to overpower the audience throughout most of the piece. If only it were always this simple with all of the other annoying noises we must suffer through on a daily basis. It was this piece that allowed the band to truly prove its talent. “Rush” is a musical piece played like its title. This piece filled the theatre with music. The instruments had a very full volume.

Unlike a radio that begins to crack when cranked up loudly though, the symphonic band played with near perfect balance. This was the piece that made me fully enjoy the abilities of the musicians and craftsmanship of the theatre. I also realized the fact that the musicians are a diverse group of students with even more diverse backgrounds. For the conductor Robert Altman to bring them together and lead them in such cohesiveness speaks volumes of their talents and love for the music.