The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra made its return to Hammond for the first time in several years to perform their current concert, advertised as “Beethoven’s Fifth” and also known as “Beethoven and Blue Jeans.”
“It was a fabulous concert and quite wonderful to have the Louisiana Philharmonic back at Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts,” said Dr. Roy Blackwood, director of the Columbia Theatre. “Beethoven’s Fifth is always a thrilling piece, and I love Mozart and Mendelssohn.”
The concert, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre, was general admission and offered discounted tickets for $10 to Southeastern students.
According to conductor Stuart Chafetz at the beginning of the concert, this LPO show was “great classical music in a casual environment.” The casual nature of this LPO concert was evident by the musicians and conductor wearing blue jeans.
“I really liked the casual atmosphere of the performance,” said Seth Galtier, a senior majoring in music education. “I feel like it really appealed to the people that don’t normally attend concerts. It was definitely an entertaining night, and I look forward to going to future performances of the LPO in Hammond.”
In between movements, the conductor Stuart Chafetz engaged with the audience, speaking to one of the attendees about her own history with music and encouraging everyone to applaud after each movement.
“It was the conductor’s prerogative to present the music as he wished,” said Blackwood. “As part of Southeastern, Columbia Theatre is an educational institution. In that context my preference would have been to adhere to standard symphonic etiquette, but again, that aspect was up to the conductor.”
For the first half of the recital, the LPO performed the Overture to “The Magic Flute,” an opera that the Southeastern Opera Workshop produced in Spring 2012. The orchestra then performed Mozart’s Concerto No. 2 in D Major for Flute and Orchestra, K. 285D, featuring Heather Zinninger Yarmel as guest flutist. They ended the first half of the concert with selections from Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“I thought the performance was very well executed,” said Connie Adams, a freshman majoring in biology. “I have never been to a performance like that before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was very pleased and enjoyed my time.”
After a brief intermission, everyone returned to hear Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, also referred to as “Beethoven’s Fifth.”  
“It was really cool to see popular classical pieces performed live by a professional ensemble,” said Galtier. “It was my first time hearing Beethoven’s Fifth live, and it was a pretty cool experience.”
The LPO will be returning to the Columbia Theatre to perform a “Yuletide Celebration” on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. This concert will be conducted by Michael Hall, and it will feature a variety of holiday favorites and festivities for the entire family including local school choirs, scenes from the Nutcracker and sing-alongs. To purchase tickets, go to www.lpomusic.com or call 504-523-6530.