The Daily Eastern News - Campus
Date: 2/18/2002
Concert brings students, professionals together
By Jessica Jarrett
The Eastern Symphony Orchestra performed "Stagestruck" Sunday in the
Dvorak Concert Hall along with eight soloists, some of which were
members of conductor Richard Rossi's family.
Rossi, an assistant music professor, described the concert as
"extremely exciting with a very receptive audience."
"The show contained lots of variety for different people, young and
old," he said.
The orchestra began the program with pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven and
Franz von Suppe, some of which have been popularized in numerous
cartoons.
Middle school and high school students, who were members of the String
Honors Initiative Program, also participated in the concert. The
program is designed to provide orchestral experience for exceptional
middle and high school string players in Coles County and surrounding
counties.
"This is the first performance we've incorporated this program," Rossi
said. "It's a great recruiting tool."
Regina Rossi, soprano, and Anthony Rossi, tenor, entertained the
audience with "Stranger In Paradise." The strong voice of Anthony Rossi
has been featured with artists such as Carol Burnett and Sammy Davis
Jr., and he has even performed for President Dwight Eisenhower.
In addition, Eastern graduate Charlotte Martin performed some original
selections from her latest recordings with the words "I'm normal,
please date me."
Martin, a Charleston native, currently lives in California and recently
signed a multi-album record contract with RCA Records to record her
original music.