OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra to Perform Nov. 10

November 9, 2020

The OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Teresa Purcell-Giles, assistant professor of music and director of bands, will perform in concert Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. The orchestra is an ensemble compromised of one-third community members, one-third OBU faculty and staff, and one-third OBU students.

“The orchestra is in its 20th season and going strong, despite the challenges presented to live music-making by COVID-19,” Purcell-Giles said. “Because of precautions taken to stave off the spread of COVID, the OBU-SCO, which traditionally performs major orchestral works for winds, percussion and strings, has modified its repertoire this semester to include only works for brass choir and string orchestra, each performing separately.”

Purcell-Giles is in her second season as conductor of the OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra. She will conduct the string orchestra in an array of works, including Roger Zare’s “Scherzo,” Vivian Fine’s “Elegy for Muted Strings,” and Gustav Holst's “St. Paul’s Suite.”

Dr. Jim Hansford, retired Burton H. Patterson Professor of Music and director of bands emeritus, is the co-founder of the OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra. He returned to the podium for the fall 2020 semester to conduct the OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra’s brass and percussion ensemble. They will perform the “Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare” by Richard Strauss, “Irish Tune from County Derry” (Londonderry Air) by Percy Grainger, and “Deep River” by James Curnow.

The concert is free and open to the public, though seat reservations must be made in advance to facilitate physical distancing. All guests are required to wear face coverings while on campus and inside Raley Chapel.