Celebrating a hundred years of renowned pianist Roger Williams, the Music Department produced a robust concert on Sept. 28 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Featuring adjunct professor of piano, Dr. Hyenjoo Choi, Concordia Symphony Orchestra, Donne Di Canto, Men’s Chorus and soloists Bryan Pezzone and icon, Pat Boone, the Roger Williams Centennial Concert was an astounding accomplishment for the Music Department and an electric way to begin the year of performances. 

Known as the “Pianist for the Presidents,” Roger Williams is the greatest selling pianist of all time and his impact continues to be recognized. The grand repertoire of this concert featured some of Rogers' own arrangements combined with familiar tunes such as “Abide with Me,” “The Impossible Dream,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” and “Rhapsody in Blue.” For sophomore vocalist and clarinetist Raquel Nitz, “My personal favorite was the ‘Impossible Dream’ as we got to make history and sing with Pat Boone. Playing ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ was also really amazing… Dr. Choi, who played the piano, was incredible.”

With preparing a concert that celebrates such an influential musician, there were some unique challenges for the students involved. “There are always challenges when preparing for a concert, but this one was unique because a lot of the arrangements were not as accurately written as we would have liked… but that’s what made it fun. We always had to be cognizant of what was happening on the paper,” said senior tuba player Vincent Rodriguez. 

The concert was very well attended, as 500 people could be seated inside the East Room of the Nixon Library, which is a replica of the East Room at the White House. Additionally, the concert was followed by a panel for audience members and songs by request on the Rogers William’s Steinway piano. For sophomore cellist Ashley Aziz, this concert was a great commemoration of our country's history. “I hope that the audience members who walked away from this concert were touched and remembered the great men before us who listened to these very pieces of music,” said Aziz. 

While most of the concert’s arrangements came directly from the Roger Williams estate, one of Concordia’s own professors contributed an arrangement to this concert. Prof. Steve Young wrote a unique rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” that was meaningful for many of the students involved in the concert. “The arrangement of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was beautiful. It’s a different take on a piece that we all know so well. It reminded me of its beauty and what talented and skilled faculty we have on this campus,” said sophomore flutist Kai Duston. 

As Concordia continues to provide its students with influential opportunities, the Roger Williams Centennial Concert was one of great significance for many students in the Music Department. “To know that our ensembles were able to touch audience members that got to live during Roger William’s career made the concert much more special to me. It’s great to be the next generation of musicians to get to play Roger Williams,” said Rodriguez. 

To find out more information about upcoming concerts and events for the Music Department please visit www.cui.edu/arts/music/events.  

Tags: Alexander Carr

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