On Nov 16th 2022, Winthrop held their Winthrop Symphony Strings performance in Tillman Auditorium. Led by conductor and Chair of the Department of Music at Winthrop since 2019, Professor Elisa Koehler.
The Program included songs such as a score from the hit Netflix series, The Crown, Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest. And other scores including from the Pirates of The Caribbean series, Pirates of the Caribbean Medley.
Performers in the Symphony Orchestra felt very confident in Dr. Koehler’s conduction and were pleased that someone like her was there to guide them.
Sophomore piano performance major Elizabeth McCoy, who is the principal violin player in the orchestra, gives credit to Professor Koehler for part of the reason why she even joined the orchestra.
“I actually met Dr. Kohler whenever I toured here at Winthrop. And I thought she was awesome. She’s really great. And so I thought it would be really cool to just take a class with her.” Elizabeth said. “I’ve also played the violin before I came here. And so I knew that she would be able to like, kind of help me grow as a violinist with orchestra. So that’s kind of why I joined. I cannot stress enough like how enjoyable the orchestra is at Winthrop with Dr. Kohler. She’s a great leader. She’s not going to make you cry, she wants to see you succeed. She’s very nice.”
Chenoia Pagan a senior who is currently earning her a Bachelor’s in Music, is a senior who’s concentrated instrument is the violin. Also is deeply appreciative of her time spent with Professor Koehler after previously having a different instructor her first two years at Winthrop.
“At the time, it was not Dr. Koehler teaching, it was actually Doug Presley. He’s now the percussion professor.” Chenoia said. “Dr. Presley definitely gave us a challenge. He gave us more challenging music that was way harder. Audition times were way shorter, like the window to practice for your audition for your seating audition, way shorter, he pushed the orchestra. He, I would assume he saw the potential in us and he just wanted to go full throttle, as to where Kohler does see the potential in us, but she takes her time and she, you know, I feel like she proves she really wants to care. And like nurture us in a way.”
Sophomore Ravyn Michael, a Music Technology major, also is appreciative of his time with Professor Koehler.
“I enjoy Dr. Koehler’s attention to detail and positive approach to conducting. She’s a very strong positive reinforcement for our playing and guides us as an orchestra to excellence.” Ravyn said.
The performers have also enjoyed Winthrop’s program as a whole and are confident that they’ll walk away with an impactful experience.
“ I chose to just stick with this symphony, because I felt like it would build me as a player to, like, I don’t know how to constructively say like, it would just help me not only perform my best, but also like, perform with peers to be a part of something and not just my own, like solo, because I don’t really do as well.” Chenoia said. “It’s a little bit like, you know, playing together as a team, as an Orchestra it just helps just listening, making sure everyone is in tune. There’s a lot that goes into it.”
Ravyn also credits the department and their Cello instructor for making their music lessons successful.
“My time with the music department and Cello instructor Elizabeth Burns has contributed greatly to my increased skill and work ethic playing Cello. My repertoire has also become more well rounded.” Ravyn said. “The audiences at Winthrop are respectful and engage with the events whenever we perform. And the performances are attended by more than music majors, which makes it more fun to participate in.”
Chenoia along with Ravyn and Elizabeth are grateful for the chance to be building themselves as the best performers they can be.
“I would say the main takeaway would probably be it would definitely be in my improvements as a player what I’ve learned, like individually just building myself up to be a better player.” Chenoia said. “Like, even when I’m not with a professor or an instructor like what am I doing in a practice room? What tips Am I taking from their lessons and the orchestra and what am I actually applying to myself as a musician to be better?”
