Concordia Wind Symphony members volunteer with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (12/12/2024) — Recently, three members of Concordia's Wind Symphony had the opportunity to volunteer with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra (LSO) at the Lied Center. Seniors Jackson Munter, Samuel Dunbar and Colin Thuringer served at LSO's "The Orchestra Moves" event on October 27, which was one of the ensemble's "family concerts" that aim to introduce children and parents to the symphony orchestra.

"The Orchestra Moves" is part of Carnegie Hall's "Link Up" series of educational concerts. "Link Up" is a national program facilitated through the hall's Weill Music Institute and strives to get young children interested and involved in orchestral performance.

Munter, Dunbar and Thuringer got involved in "The Orchestra Moves" through Dr. Kevin Madden, Concordia's adjunct instructor of low brass and the audience services manager for LSO. Madden said that he teaches all three in applied lessons or the university's brass quintet.

"They regularly request to volunteer for the symphony, so they are high on my list of dependable volunteers," Madden said. "As we offer an 'instrument petting zoo' as one of our pre-concert activities, having music students as volunteers is crucial!"

The "petting zoo" is an opportunity for kids who attend the event to play and explore various brass, percussion and string instruments.

Madden added that "LSO's mission is to present inspiring experiences that welcome all members of our community to discover and cultivate a profound, personal connection with live orchestral music."

Senior music education major Colin Thuringer said that he hopes the event sparked curiosity in young attendees and their parents as they explored the different instrumental components of the orchestra.

"Events like this can help get both kids and parents interested in music," he said. "The kids have the opportunity to explore the things they are interested in without the fear of judgment from their classmates. Additionally, the parents can tell their kids about their own musical involvement. It can bring a family much closer, despite being such a simple event."

"I hope Jackson, Sam and Colin took away a renewed energy and wonder to their gift of performing music," Madden said. "We all benefit from seeing the wonder that children bring to the experience. We often get bogged down in the process of practice and rehearsal, but seeing exposure to music produce the wonder and joy we see in children can revitalize our approach to our art. Also, I just hope they had fun!"

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