The Brass Ensemble and the Video Game Ensemble held a joint concert on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Recital Hall.
The performance began with the Brass Ensemble, which performed six numbers such as “Novemberfrost” and “The Turtle Dove.”
After a brief intermission, the performance concluded with the Video Game Ensemble. The VGE performed a total of nine numbers in solo, small group and large group form from games such as “Undertale,” “Deltarune” and “Tetris.”
Sophomore and ensemble president Matthew Derouin said that the VGE got started after a showcase brainstormed by KSC music alumnus Korben Robinson.
“After that performance, he told me he wasn’t planning on doing that again, so I told him that I would do it,” Derouin said. “And then last semester we started officially. This semester, it grew so much.”
Derouin said his favorite part of leading the VGE is watching the musicians grow.
“It’s just incredible because I can see every little mistake they make and I can see their face when they realize that they made that mistake,” he said. “And they fix it, and they just get a little smile on their face, and it makes me happy to watch them grow.”
This performance marked the ensemble’s first public performance, and Derouin said that he thought it went well.
“I could not have been prouder of the sounds that I was hearing,” he said. “The ensemble did so well, and I’m so excited for next semester.”
Attendees praised both ensembles’ performances.
“I liked the two performances,” said junior Hank Reynolds. “It was really interesting. I mostly listen to music with lyrics, so it was new to hear instrumental. It’s just very different, but in a good way.”
First-year Quinne Richard said they were excited for the Brass Ensemble since they play a brass instrument, and they also knew and wanted to support Derouin.
“And then it was really good,” they said.
“I usually come to these performances to support some of my closest friends,” said student Aidan Houston. “As always, it was a really solid performance tonight. It was good music.”
Emily Sloane can be contacted at
esloane@kscequinox.com
