Setnor School of Music Unveils Talents at Annual Composers Concert

The Setnor School of Music was abuzz with excitement as the stage was set for the annual Composers Concert at Syracuse University. On a typical Wednesday evening, faculty and friends gathered to witness the unveiling of exceptional musical creations, crafted with dedication and passion by the music students themselves.

Emerging Composers Take Center Stage

The concert featured seven original compositions, each representing the imagination and skillfulness of the student-composers from the Setnor School of Music. It served not only as an exhibition of their hard work but also as a component of their comprehensive education in composition seminar classes aimed at honing their craft and discussing the fine points of music and art.

Instructors like Dr. Nicolas Scherzinger, along with Dr. Natalie Draper and Loren Loiacono, encourage students to create music that resonates, teaching them that composition has to go beyond the page and come alive through performance.

The Composers' Creative Journey

The students' journey into composition is arduous and enlightening. A standout piece titled 'Bones' by second-year graduate student Matthew Schlicht, for example, brought magical and paranormal visions to life through the strumming of a classical guitar. Meanwhile, 'On the Hill' by student composer Addison Flower blossomed into a woodwind quintet inspired by the familiar and tranquil scenery of Crouse Hill.

Some students, like first-year graduate Jihang Dai, not only composed but also performed their pieces, adding a personal touch to the melodies that filled the room. The concert also provided a crucial stepping stone for their future, gifting student composers with recordings to bolster their portfolios for upcoming professional and academic ventures.

A Lesson in Collaboration and Perseverance

Guided by dedicated faculty, the young composers learned that music is a collaborative entity, requiring seamless integration between the composer's vision and the performer's interpretation. Dr. Scherzinger emphasized this synergy, working tirelessly to ensure these events provide students with real-world experience essential for their artistic development.

In the end, the Composers Concert at the Setnor School of Music was more than just a display of individual talent; it was a celebration of the collective spirit of creation, collaboration, and the endless pursuit of musical excellence.

concert, composition, student