The Ball State Symphony Orchestra (BSSO) will perform this February at the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) National Conference in Boston, MA.  One of only two collegiate orchestras selected to perform, we asked conductor Douglas Droste some questions about the upcoming performance.

Where will the orchestra perform in Boston?

Kresge Auditorium on the MIT campus. We are also performing at two stops on the way: Pickerington North High School (outside of Columbus, Ohio) and Cumberland Valley High School (outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania).

What is the repertoire for the performance? 

Gustav Holst: “Jupiter” from The Planets
Libby Larsen: Deep Summer Music
William Perry: Trumpet Concerto, Movement 1 (featuring BSU trumpet professor Stephen Campbell)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: “Pas de Deux” from Nutcracker (with dancers from BSU’s Theatre and Dance Department)
Sergei Prokofiev: “Montagues and Capulets” from Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2
Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story         

What has the preparation been like for this trip?

Musically speaking, just reviewing and fine tuning the repertoire that was all performed last semester (we are also performing this program at the Indiana Music Education Association conference). Logistically, lots of emails for me!

Will the orchestra members attend any seminars or performances while in Boston?

We will attend a performance of the MIT Orchestra at the conference. After our performance, students will be given a free evening to attend sessions at the conference, a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance, or whatever they can find!

How was the BBSO selected to perform at the conference?

We submitted an application and were accepted to perform by a blind jury.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the trip?

As far as anyone can remember, this is the first national conference performance by the BSSO. It could also possibly be the first out of state trip, but I don’t have any way to confirm that.