Symphony Orchestra to perform April 20, premiere work by alumnus

Northwest's Symphony Orchestra will perform its spring concert April 20 for an online audience. (Photo by Todd Weddle/Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest Missouri State University’s Symphony Orchestra will perform its spring concert Tuesday, April 20, featuring the Missouri premiere of a Northwest alumnus’ composition.

The public is invited to view the performance online. KNWT, Northwest’s student-led television station, will broadcast the concert, beginning at 7:30 p.m., on its YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/VaibcABDPkg.

The Symphony Orchestra’s program will include Robert Langenfeld’s “Celestial Body,” a three-movement work for symphony orchestra and electronics. The Peabody Modern Orchestra performed the world premiere of Langenfeld’s work in 2019, and Northwest will be the second orchestra to perform this innovative work.

“The work tells the journey of the life of a celestial body,” Langenfeld, a 2013 Northwest graduate, said. “This journey is loosely based in science, philosophy and religion. This ‘body’ can represent a physical object in outer space, a metaphysical being or our human soul. Regardless what interpretation the listener chooses, the journey is the same: Life, death and redemption.”

Additionally, the concert will feature several student chamber ensembles presenting music from the Baroque era to current music.

“This will be a magnificent evening of music, celebrating our perseverance to continue making music through this pandemic,” Dr. Robert Pippin, the conductor of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and an assistant professor of music, said.

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra is a full orchestra, consisting of woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings with a mission of contributing to the musical development of its members and the cultural life of Northwest, Maryville and surrounding communities.

For information about upcoming events and music ensembles in Northwest’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/music/.