OLIVIA HAHNER
staff writer

The First Presbyterian Church was truly filled with the sound of music Saturday evening as the Erie Chamber Orchestra visited to perform.
Bradley Thachuk, the ECO musical director, greeted the audience before the show. He explained how honored they were to perform in this setting.
The group was afraid it would not be able to perform due to the weather.
Earlier that day the orchestra rehearsed twice and continued with the show later on.
Thachuk shared how difficult it was for the group to find a soloist. Eventually, they discovered viola soloist Derek Reeves.
He is known for touring with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and other famous orchestras.
Reeves has traveled all over the United States, Europe and Japan, performing for all who attended.
The show began with a piece from Igor Stravinsky.
He is known for having music that always surprises.
The official title of the piece performed is “Concerto in E-flat” but it is often referred to as “Dumbarton Oaks.”
Next up was a piece composed by J.C. Bach and Casadesus.
The piece performed was “Viola Concerto in C Minor.”
Reeves took charge and performed his solo.
Once the piece concluded, the group took a quick intermission.
The show started up again and the orchestra performed Edward Elgar’s “String Serenade.”
Elgar is best known for his profound and mature masterpieces.
It is believed that this piece was composed for the Worcester Musical Union.
Next was Gustav Holst’s “Lyric Movement.”
A fun fact about Holst was that he gave up piano and studied the trombone instead.
He continued on to become the first chair of many orchestras that he performed with.
To conclude the evening, the ECO performed Ralph Vaughan Williams “Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis.”
Williams was the first composer who absorbed carols, madrigals, folk songs and dance of the Tudor period.
The crowd was dazzled by the pieces performed. For more information, check out the Erie Chamber Orchestra on its website https://www.facebook.com/eriechamberorchestra/.

OLIVIA HAHNER
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