Just moments after roaring with the sound of Mahler’s Adagietto from his Fifth Symphony, Laurie Auditorium fell silent. After a brief pause, Beethoven filled the room.
Over 100 members of Trinity University’s Choir and Chamber Singers joined the 75-piece Symphony of the Hills Orchestra, a nonprofit organization focused on providing live symphonic music to the Hill Country, on Oct. 16 to perform “A Time To Remember: Tribute Concert for Kerrville/Hill Country Flood Victims.” The program’s purpose was to raise funds and support for those affected by the flooding, according to Gary Seighman, chair of the music department and director of choral activities.
When the organization approached Seighman, he said he immediately agreed to collaborate. According to Seighman, it was the exact event that the Trinity music department had been hoping to plan.
“We as a community really felt that we needed to do something after the tragedy of the Hill Country flood,” Seighman said. “It’s just our way as musicians to help bring some healing and then to actually have some actionable way that we can assist with that disaster.”
The event had donation boxes stationed at the auditorium entrances, with all proceeds going to the Community Foundation for the Texas Hill Country. The nonprofit focuses on directly distributing funds to local organizations that provide rescue, recovery and relief services. Along with raising funds, Seighman said that the concert aimed to raise awareness.
“Even though this flood happened months ago, people forget that there’s still a need for raising funds for support and disaster relief,” Seighman said. “The proceeds are going directly to [the Community Foundation for the Texas Hill Country], and then they are the ones who make sure that the money goes to where it’s needed most.”
The program featured pieces to suit the commemorative purpose of the night, according to Seighman. For the final song, both choirs joined the orchestra for a piece called “Da pacem Domine” — Latin for “Give us peace, Lord.” Arvo Pärt wrote the piece in response to the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and it is often sung at memorials for tragedies.
Grover Bendall, first-year biochemistry major, sings bass in the choir. He was one of over 100 Trinity students gathered on stage.
“It is very pertinent to recent events,” Bendall said. “It’s a method of showing respect to the community and aiming to raise funds, while also celebrating musicians in the area and here at our university.”
Among those in the audience was Olivia Raffaniello, first-year political science and psychology double-major and viola player. She said she enjoyed the performance and believes in the importance of live orchestral performance.
“I feel like music is such a powerful way to put a sentiment to a feeling like that, especially in such a delicate situation,” Reaffaniello said. “It’s hard to put words to it, but it’s easy to find meaning in melody. It transcends words.”
Musicians representing Symphony of the Hills came from all over Hill Country to perform in this concert and represent their communities. Symphony Of the Hills will be performing their program “A Time to Rejoice” on Dec. 4 at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville, Texas.
