The ETSU Department of Music in collaboration with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) worked together to build a captivating performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana this past Saturday. The performance included the ETSU Orchestra, ETSU Choirs (Chorale, Bucsworth, and Belles), and the JCSO all on the Martin Center Grand Hall stage together.
The idea for the joint performance began with Dr. Rob Seebacher, conductor of the JCSO. He approached ETSU to propose the idea of a potential musical collaboration with the student performers. Dr. Lauren Ramey, conductor of BucsWorth and head of ETSU’s Music Education program, described the piece as a “barn burner” for both performers and listeners.
Throughout the semester, ETSU Choirs and Orchestra rehearsed separately with Dr. Seebacher visiting occasionally to offer guidance. It wasn’t until the Thursday before the concert that everyone came together — choir, orchestra, and symphony — for three intensive rehearsals. “The collaboration worked out wonderfully!” Dr. Ramey shared enthusiastically. She explained that in preparation, there were only three rehearsals and then the performance.
For many student performers, this was their first experience with such massive, professional-level work. Dr. Ramey described one unforgettable moment that stuck with her. “The energy in the room after the first rehearsal with orchestra was incredible. The looks on their faces brought me so much joy,” said Dr. Ramey.
When asked if a performance like this might happen again, Dr. Ramey was hopeful. “The level of preparation and the dedication of the student singers and instrumentalists showed that large choral-orchestral works have a place here at ETSU,” Dr. Ramey said.
The semester isn’t slowing down for ETSU’s music department — BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir and the ETSU Orchestra will perform at the Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference in April at Opryland, a prestigious honor for the program. There will be a send-off concert to send morale to these groups on March 27.
To find out more information about Bucsworth specifically, feel free to reach Dr. Ramey at rameyle@mail.etsu.edu. To learn more about the Department of Music and future events like these, feel free to reach out to music@etsu.edu. For more information regarding the JCSO, reach out to gm@jsymphony.com.
