The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Ruth Lin
The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Ruth Lin, returns from a 13-day tour, six-concert tour of South Africa to present its South African Home Concert in Christ Chapel on Sunday, February 12 at 1:30 p.m. The Symphony’s Home Concert is free and open to the public.
The orchestra opens its concert with two works by Aaron Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man and An Outdoor Overture, followed by George Chadwick’s Suite Symphonique in E-flat Major. The program continues with Leroy Anderson’s four-movement Alma Mater – Scenes for Orchestra and Edward MacDowell’s “To a Wild Rose” from Woodland Sketches. Following a brief intermission, the program will conclude with John Williams’ “Star Wars” Suite for Orchestra.
While in Cape Town, South Africa, the Gustavus Symphony performed concerts at the Cape Town Institute for the Blind, Tembaletu Special School, V&A Waterfront Amphitheater and the Cape Town International Musical Festival at the Cape Town City Hall. In Johannesburg, the symphony performed at Cape Gate Miagi Centre Music Hall and the Sun City Resort Amphitheater.
The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra has a membership of about 60 student musicians. The ensemble tours annually, and once every four years travels abroad for a unique musical and cultural experience. In the spring of 2000, the orchestra made its European debut, performing in England, Scotland, and Wales. In January and February of 2004, the group embarked on a ground-breaking concert tour in China and made a return visit in January of 2008.
The Symphony was founded in 1888 following the establishment of a School of Music at the College in 1887 and has since grown to be a full symphonic orchestra performing a broad selection of music. The ensemble regularly performs with faculty and guest soloists, as well as other campus ensembles, at events such as Christmas in Christ Chapel and the internationally recognized Nobel Conference.
Dr. Lin, the orchestra’s conductor, assumed the role in Sept. 2010. Prior to joining the Gustavus faculty, she served as the director of orchestral activities at Iowa State University, where she conducted the Iowa State Symphony Orchestra and taught beginning and advanced instrumental conducting as well as other music classes.
She has recently served as the orchestra director of the Lira Ensemble in Chicago and is also the founding director and conductor of the Good Samaritan Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra of student, free-lance, and community-based musicians. Dr. Lin was born in Zhang Zhou, China, and holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and music technology and master’s and doctoral degrees in orchestral conducting – all from Northwestern University.
The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra’s South African Home Concert will be presented in Christ Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. This performance is free and open to the public.