91�����

On a brisk and blustery Sunday afternoon, students and faculty made their way across the wind-swept New England campus to St. Frassati Student Center to enjoy the 91����� Aquinas College Orchestra�s first concert of the year.

Conducted by Donovan Carlson (�28), the student musicians performed a lovely selection of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart, as well as an original piece by cellist Mara Cloutier (�27). The concert began with Bach�s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, followed by Haydn�s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major. �Both pieces were so much fun to play,� said violinist Elya Schumann (�29). �The Haydn was especially nice because I had a pretty simple part and could just enjoy listening to the cello.� 

Mara Cloutier, a junior this year and the head of the orchestra, composed and performed a beautiful cadenza to accompany the Haydn concerto. Mara has been a cellist for eight years, and the cadenza was her first original work.

Following this novel piece, the concert concluded with Mozart�s timeless Divertimento in D Major, including all three movements. As the Divertimento�s �Presto� came to a resounding close, the audience all rose and gave the orchestra a well-deserved standing ovation. 

Afterward, all mingled about the room, discussing the pieces and the performance over homemade desserts and hot coffee. �My jaw fell to the ground when I heard Mara�s original cadenza,� exclaimed Lucianna Umaña (�27). �It fit perfectly with the rest of the piece! Amazing talent from her and the rest of the orchestra!� Lucianna�s sister, Sarolta (�29), wholeheartedly agreed. �There are so many talented students here at TAC,� she added. �It�s such a blessing to hear them play for us!�

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