April 18, the Elizabethtown College Orchestra and Symphonic Band performed a combined spring concert. The live-streamed show, directed by  associate professor and director of instrumental studies Dr. Robert Spence, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the dedication of Leffler Chapel and Performance Center to Carlos R. and Georgiana E. Leffler.

Carlos was a member of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees starting in 1968 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities by the College in 1989. He also served as the head of the campaign to fund the building in 1994. Linda Castagna, the daughter of Carlos and Georgina, and her husband Patrick have funded many chapel renovations and events. Linda is an Emeritus Trustee at Etown and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2003.

Spence chose two pieces to celebrate the anniversary and represent the essence of Leffler Chapel.

“’Serial,’ written by David Gillingham, represents a tribute to the designers and laborers who built the structure. ‘Benedictus,’ written by Karl Jenkins, represents the spiritual nature of the Chapel and the strong faith of Carlos and Georgiana Leffler,” Spence said.

The concert was composed of songs of varying genres and featured instruments, including marimba and trombone. There were also two soloists, who were chosen after winning the Concerto Competition.

“The Elizabethtown College Concerto Competition is held in the fall semester, usually in late October. Students compete by preparing, then performing a vocal aria or a movement from an instrumental concerto before a live audience plus a panel of judges,” Spence said.

The two soloists were senior music therapy majors Gabriella Clarizio, whose primary instrument is saxophone, and Emily Singer, whose primary is vocal.

Clarizio played the first movement from the “Rush” concerto by Kenneth Fuchs.

“It’s definitely my favorite piece I’ve ever played! I’m just so happy that I found it,” Clarizio said.

Singer performed “Quando Me’n Vo” by Puccini from the opera “La Bohème.”  

“I chose this piece because it is a challenge for me vocally, and the character is extremely fun to play! I am singing about walking into the streets while everybody observes my beauty, in hopes to make my ex lover jealous! It is a beautiful and fun aria to perform,” Singer said.

Junior Joshua Koch was the student conductor during the performance of Etown’s Alma Mater. This performance was in recognition of the 2021 seniors and the graduates of the 2020 school year who did not get the same experience.

COVID-19 has had its effects on the preparation and presentation of this concert.

“The music department is doing their best to provide us with opportunities to perform while staying within the COVID guidelines. When singing in choir or in groups of people, we wear masks and are spaced out. The performance spaces and classrooms are all equipped with air filtration systems to provide us with clean air,” Singer said.

Clarizio added that rehearsals were different for the “orcheband,” too, and when the weather permitted, they would try to practice outside.

“Because of COVID, we’ve had a lot of sectional time, so I’ve gotten to know my section really well and bond with them,” she said.

“It is different for the performers in that the woodwind, brass and percussion sections have been rehearsing apart from the string section the entire semester.  To make it even more challenging, the woodwinds, brass and percussion have been rehearsing apart from each other as well. We all met for the very first time at our dress rehearsal just two days before the concert performance,” Spence said.

The stage set-up was different, too. According to Clarizio, “Normally, all the musicians would be on the stage, but because of social distancing, only a few people will be on the stage, like percussionists, violists and people with bigger instruments. The rest of us are socially distanced in the pews, and Dr. Spence stands in the middle of us to conduct.”

Despite this crazy time and its impact on the music department, the virtual spring concert went very well.

“I am absolutely honored to be selected to perform with the Orchestra/Band and to be a part of such an amazing department,” Singer said.

Clarizio agreed and added, “This is definitely the biggest musical event of my college career!”

Spence’s takeaway from the “orcheband” performance was the hard work of the members.

“Their dedication and desire to rise above all the challenges and keep music alive during this pandemic is remarkable. I will remember this group and what they have achieved for the rest of my life!” he said.