Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: A&E

Media Credit: Robert Mullen Members of the University Orchestra, Choral Society, Concert Choir and Treble Choir rehearse Tuesday night for their concert. The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in Dunham Hall.

Freshman Stevie Jankowski began playing the violin when she was 10 years old, but a neck injury abruptly stopped her violin career.

"It was a combination of heredity and whiplash," Jankowski said. "I was a soccer player, and I got run into by somebody really bad."

Although she could not play violin anymore, Jankowski found a new way to express her passion for music.

"I could no longer play the violin, so I chose to play the string bass because our orchestra needed one at high school," Jankowski said. "I've been playing for three years now."

This Thursday and Friday, she will perform as part of the campus orchestra at the SIUE University Orchestra and Choirs performance in Dunham Hall Theater at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the orchestra, the SIUE Concert Choir, Treble Choir and Choral Society will perform.

Joel Knapp, director of choral activities, said the concert has a lot of audience appeal, as many will most likely recognize the majority of the music selections.

"This concert is very user-friendly," Knapp said. "Some of the music is even used in current commercials and theme songs."

The orchestra and three choirs, totaling more than 100 singers, will perform four music selections, including Bach's "Cantata 140" and Mozart's "Vespers," both of which are fairly recognizable pieces.

"I selected the music based on the abilities of the choirs and the orchestra," Knapp said.

Senior Kevin Becker, a German and French double major who sings bass, has been in the concert choir for five years. He will perform in both the Vespers piece and another Bach Cantata, "Wachet Auf, Ruft uns die Stimme."

"They're totally different because they're from different musical eras, but I like the 'Vespers' better than the cantata because it's a little more lively," Becker said.

Becker has been singing bass since he was 16, although he originally started his music career by playing tuba.

"I played tuba before that, and I thought I should try singing, and that was kind of the logical transition, because the tubas played the bass line all the time," Becker said. "I thought about going back to playing tuba in the orchestra or in band, but I think the choir is more fun."

All of the choirs are open to any interested SIUE student.

"There is an audition, and singers are placed in a choir appropriate to their abilities," Knapp said.

After conducting at four different universities, Knapp came to SIUE in 1999.

"I really enjoy creating music," Knapp said. "It gives you the chance to be a part of something greater than any one person."

Students can get their free ticket by presenting their Cougar Card at the door or at Box Office in Dunham Hall. Tickets for non-students cost $5.

For more information, call 650-3900.

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