Symphony for the New World

Travis Wesley

Moorpark’s music director James Song conducts the Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra during practice on Sept. 5.

By Audrey Arellano, A&E writer

As the Fall semester begins to pan out, the Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra will continue to practice sedulously for their upcoming production called “From the New World.” The symphony orchestra will debut their performance conducted by Moorpark’s music director, James Song, on Nov. 1 at 8:00 p.m.

The show will consist of music from two of the most famous symphonies by world renowned composers such as Mozart and Dvorak.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, also known as the “Jupiter” symphony will be performed followed by Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”. The audience can expect to hear the violin, cello, and the many other Four Orchestra instruments throughout this performance.

One might ask how today’s music could correlate with a type of music as classic as this. “It’s a difficult question, we are doing an orchestra which is romantic,” said Song. While the orchestra’s performance may have its differences from music genres from today’s day and age, it is still music audiences can enjoy and be intrigued by.

Many of today’s popular songs are sounds of the latest trends with little significance behind them, unlike the classical orchestras produced during earlier times. “I don’t know if there’s a correlation because this is timeless music; there is a certain value to it,” explained Song.

“I, personally, am a great fan on Beethoven. He went through very hard times during his life and could have given up on everything,” said Song while narrowing down which of the classical composers have influenced him the most in his musical career. “Instead, he turned (his hardships) into positives, creating music that is so timeless.”

Song is most excited to share “all of the amount of work and energy put in to the production and staying true to the content of composure” with the public on the autumn evening. The conductor is also looking forward to “making the music come alive at the moment” for viewers.

Be sure to tune in to the classical sounds of “From the New World” in the Performing Arts Center For tickets and other information go to: http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_students/performing_arts/index.shtml#sthash.IVy6jXLl.dpuf