Symphony in C comes to Rowan University

This past month has been an exciting one for the overlooked College of Fine & Performing Arts. Three weeks ago, Rowan welcomed the arrival of 44 Steinway pianos, bringing prestige to a program that hadn’t receive new pianos in almost 40 years.

Mike Wolf, a sophomore music education major, is happy to see the music department going in this direction.

“A lot of great concerts are coming up,” Wolf said. “We also got a new choir director. With this, it’s an exciting time to be in this department.”

The College of Fine & Performing Arts is now getting ready for “Symphony in C,” formerly known as the Haddonfield Symphony, for a special presentation of Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsodic Reflections.” Joining the orchestra for the show is Russian pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine, who is renowned for his performances as both a soloist and as a part of many different orchestras. Since he burst on the scene at the age of 14, Moutouzkine has received many top prizes internationally for his work.

Sam McLeod, a senior music education major, agrees that excitement is surrounding the upcoming event.

“I’m really excited about the Symphony in C concert,” McLeod said. “They are a great local orchestra and to have them come perform at Rowan is a great opportunity for music students as well as the student body in general to appreciate well played music.”

Led by music director Rossen Milanov and assistant conductor Petko Dimitrov, the orchestra now calls the Gordon Theater at the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts its home. This move was integral to the orchestra’s dedication to being a professional training orchestra while also upholding its position as a major arts institution.

The honor was bestowed on them by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and, according to the orchestra’s mission statement, helps them “to continue making artistic, educational, and economic impact on a regional, national and global scale.”

In a press release sent to the Whit, Dr. Jon Cart, the dean of the college, expressed his enthusiasm with what he hopes will be a stronger partnership between Rowan and the orchestra.

“The symphony’s commitment to community outreach harmonizes with the vision of the College of Fine & Performing Arts at Rowan,” Cart said. “We look forward to expanding collaborations with the symphony both in Glassboro and in Camden.”

The show will be Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. in Pfleeger Hall. General admission tickets are $20, while seniors, alumni, staff and non-Rowan student tickets are $10. Rowan students get in for free by showing their ID. For more information about the show or the orchestra, visit symphonyinc.org, rowan.edu/colleges/fpa/ or call 856-256-4545 to order tickets.