Guests filled a majority of the Titmus Theater’s 192 seats on Sunday, as the Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra performed in concert before a full house.
The concert, “Transformations,” featured composer J. Mark Scearce, professor of Art and Design and former director of the N.C. State Music Department, as a guest conductor.
Scearce began the concert with the song “Benediction,” one of the first he wrote for the Raleigh Civic Symphony 20 years ago.
“I thought the first song was beautiful,” said Chelsea Gardner, a junior in communication. “I wasn’t sure what to expect with a title like “Benediction,” but it was the complete opposite, it wasn’t dark or dreary at all.”
Scearce said that the orchestra of 32 was made up of students and professionals from the community.
“I think it went alright,” said violinist Wesley Allen, a freshman in engineering.
Allen said it was his first time he played in concert with the orchestra. He said he was satisfied with the performance.
Allen said the orchestra practiced once a week in the days leading up to the concert, but credits much of the orchestra’s performance to hours spent preparing outside of the scheduled rehearsal times.
“The performance was impressive and they sounded well-rehearsed,” said Tanner Harris, a freshman in engineering.
Scearce said he was satisfied with the orchestra, which only rehearsed a total of 12 hours as an ensemble.
“It was very stimulating,” said Lauren Thornton a freshman in Polymer and Color Chemistry. “I really enjoyed the performance as a whole.”
Following Scearces composition, the orchestra performed J.S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, dedicated to former music director Randolph Foy. Scearces praised the students following a story he told of Bach and how he would enlist his students for his original orchestra.
The concert ended with a standing ovation and all around applause after the orchestra’s and soloists’ of the N.C. Symphony rendition of “Pulcinella Suite” by Igor Stravinsky.
It was Scearces first time on stage since stepping down as head of the music department in July 2012, to be come a fully tenured professor.
Distinguished guests who performed with the ensemble included double bassist, Leonid Finkelshteyn and trumpeter, Don Eagle of the N.C. Symphony and cellist David Oh of the Raleigh Civic Symphony Orchestra.
Finkelshteyn is also principal bassist of the Eastern Festival Orchestra.
The orchestra will be performing again at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium on Nov. 17.