By Dongyoung Kim
Correspondent
People say hidden gems are found in the most unexpected places. It turned out to be true on Tuesday, March 18, at the College.
When people walked into Mayo Concert Hall on Tuesday for a flute choir, a spectacular performance was not something on their minds. But with the swift hand motion of the director signaling the start of the performance, every expectation was torn down.
“I didn’t know what to expect (initially),” said Ellen Plattman, a junior music major at the College who plays violin. “And (then) it started off really good.”
Many people in the audience seemed to have shared this thought as the volume of the clapping was room-filling despite the small attendance.
“They are doing a really good job,” said Nicole Cinman, a flute choir alumna who graduated from the College in 2013. “I wish more people came to it.”
Due to the recent snowstorms, the original date for the performance had to be rescheduled, explaining the lack of the attendance. Yet the small attendance did not deter the members of the choir and they gave a fantastic performance that brought smiles to the audience.
The flute choir, led by the director David DiGiacobbe, flute professor at the College, opened the night with “Overture to Nabucco,” composed by Giuseppe Verdi.
“It’s a challenge with concentration and length,” DiGiacobbe said. “But I think it works really well because the sound of flute choir is very reminiscent of organ in church.”
Using a whole family of flutes that include four different types of flutes, the flute choir created a deep and sincere sound that blended all the instruments together so well that it almost sounded like one instrument.
“There are lots of other choirs out there,” DiGiacobble said when asked about how the choir manages to produce such a sound. “But we work hard together to make sure that we breathe together and the blend is just right.”
The other reason for the choir’s excellent performance may be attributed to the experience of its musicians. With six seniors leading the group, the flute choir is able to count on their leadership and experience that ultimately helped the group to show their true potential.
“Absolutely fantastic. They are all wonderful people,” said Chelsea Cortese, a senior music major at the College who is a member of the flute choir. “And we all are supportive of each other.”
The night continued with “Variation on a Theme by Haydn,” composed by Johannes Brahms. This music, considered to be the toughest piece among all of the night’s performance, is originally an orchestral piece.
“I think it almost works better for the flute choir,” DiGiacobble said. “You can create all these colors and emotions.”
When the night ended with the “Finale” movement of “Suite from El Amor Brujo,” composed by Manuel de Falla, smiles appeared on the audience’s faces as if they had found the hidden gem that they had been looking for.
“I think this was one of the best flute choir concerts we gave,” DiGiacobble said.
