The Mustang Strings ensemble might be brand new, but could be on their way to success as a group if they wanted to do so.
Formed by Dr. Deborah Perkins, Mustang Strings is composed of students who play, but “aren’t focused on music.” The students range from business management majors, economics students and biologists.
There are music majors in the ensemble, but for the most part, these students have their eyes focused on other prizes. Even so, the performances of this ensemble are something to keep an eye out for.
As the group performed Antonin Dvorak’s “Allegretto Grazioso,” their size (only seventeen players) did not inhibit their delivery. A beautiful sweep of a performance, they grabbed the music and crafted it so that it could be produced to the best of their ability. Dvorak’s “Allegro Scherzando,” “Adagio,” and “Allegro animato” was given nice depth with a talented bass section made up of musicians Ray Henniger and Ed Fretheim.
Next, Giacomo Puccini’s “Musetta’s Waltz” was absolute honey to the ears and mind, led by third-year violinist Paul Kroeger. Quite frankly, Puccini is rather difficult to ruin, as the composer wrote pieces exclusively for violin, but far from ruined the performance was. The ensemble pulled beautiful crescendos with this legato piece and created a wonderful, emotional performance. Paul Kroeger drove his violin to its full potential and the passionate musician helped give life to such a beautiful movement, raising the group up with him.
A decent performance of John Rutter III’s “O Waly Waly” turned out to be great with Thomas Baek’s thoughtful, delicate solo. The ensemble also chose to play “One Hand One Heart” from the famous musical West Side Story. This could have been taken one way or another, being good or just repetitive. Pianist Martha Pool performed the piece perfectly, making it wonderful. The ensemble rushed in and created a moving, nicely played song.
Conducted by Chris Tran, freshman string education major, Carlos Geidel’s “Por Una Cabeza,” was performed nicely, as well. The ensemble had to support each other between each movement of another legato piece. Chris Tran masterfully conducted as he pushed and pulled the music to direct a forceful, perfect song. Even though the Mustang Strings might not have the entire group completely focused on musical studies, any audience member could be deceived.
This group is composed of wonderful, passionate instrumentalists that are fully capable of taking their music to the next level.
The idea of Mustang Strings is an interesting experiment that gives these students a chance to mold and play with their abilities. The relaxed composure of the group did not bring the ensemble down, but allowed each musician to freely act on their musical talents and creatively build them.
