The Department of Fine and Performing Arts presented the Symphonic Band in concert on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium. The concert consisted of nine parts, one of which included original compositions by five students in the orchestration class.

The Symphonic Band began the concert with a performance of ‘Resonances 1,’ which was composed by Ron Nelson. For this performance, several brass players lined up in the two aisles, creating a loud, interesting effect.

“My favorite piece was ‘Resonances 1,’ the first piece that we played,” said Allen Cutrer, a junior majoring in electronic media. “I think it kind of set the concert, and I think that overall the concert was really great.”

All of the students that participated enjoyed their performances.

Brooke Gaudet, a junior majoring in music education, plays the Oboe in the Symphonic Band.

“My favorite piece was ‘Integritas’ because of the way that the middle sounded,” said Gaudet. “It’s so beautiful. All the harmonies blended together and it was gorgeous.”

“Integritas” was composed by Dr. Earl Fox, who was a guest conductor at the concert. Fox explained before the performance that the piece was dedicated to Marty Hurley, who was known for being the band director at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans and passed away last year. The song was named the Latin word for integrity in Hurley’s honor.

The lower level of the Pottle Auditorium was full of the family and friends of Symphonic Band members, and everyone enjoyed the concert.

Karen Cutrer attended the concert to support her son Allen and his friends Sean Willard and Jesse White from Denham Springs.

“The music was gorgeous, especially the first number,” said Cutrer. “That was my favorite one, where they all came out and stood in the aisles.”

After the show, many of the young musicians were greeted by their supporters and listened to them praise the show.

Erica Collins, a sophomore majoring in music education, visited with her mother and a few friends in Pottle after the concert. She paused to share her thoughts about the evening before leaving Pottle.

“This was my favorite ensemble to be in during my two years at Southeastern because we worked so hard and the way it came together in the end was so great,” said Collins, who plays the French horn in the Symphonic Band. “With so many musicians that put their hearts into it, it was just really enjoyable for everyone.”