The Goshen College Chamber Orchestra, a new string ensemble, debuted last Saturday at the Homecoming Gala with Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody.” The orchestra — composed of four first violins, four second violins, four violas and one cello — consists of both student and faculty string players. 

The orchestra was conceived last year by Solomia Soroka, professor of music, and Rosalyn Troiano, applied music instructor and adjunct instructor of viola. 

When asked about what sparked inspiration for the Chamber Orchestra’s creation, Soroka said that she has fond memories of her chamber string group from high school. Troiano added that she and Soroka would receive compliments after the string studio recitals which have previously featured chamber-style groups. 

The Chamber Orchestra differs from GC’s longstanding Symphony Orchestra in the instrumentation, repertoire and rehearsal and performance styles. Soroka said, “We play different kinds of music, especially Baroque and Renaissance music, and it’s [a] more intimate kind of repertoire.”

Troiano said that it also opens up opportunities for the string players to use new techniques, including scordatura; the deliberate mistuning of strings. “This all enhances the musicianship of the students in both ensembles.” 

Troiano also said that the Chamber Orchestra does not need a conductor. “We look across at our colleagues across the semicircle and we communicate with them — with our eyes and with our movement.” 

Caitlin Yoder Rupp is a first-year music education major and a second violinist in the Chamber Orchestra. “Solomia just says, ‘And, go!’ and then we just all play,” Yoder Rupp said. “She’ll maybe give a few critiques and then we’ll run again, but she’s not directing — it’s a lot more student-led.”

Julia Koch, is a senior music major and a first violinist in the Chamber Orchestra. When asked what she’s looking forward to this year in Chamber Orchestra, Koch said, “Learning how to play together well, learning how to read each other as an ensemble and just the community that having this chamber ensemble brings. Being a music major is a lot of alone time in a practice room, just grinding out passages, and it’s fun to play together in a setting that’s different.” 

The Chamber Orchestra’s next step is to rename themselves. Troiano said, “Goshen College Chamber Orchestra — that’s very specific, and that’s who we are.” She cited Lavender Jazz and the GC choirs as inspiration for naming the group more creatively.

Soroka suggested that the Chamber Orchestra be renamed “24 violins for Goshen College,” as a  parody of King Louis XIV’s early chamber group, “24 violins for king.” 

Troiano said, “I know the students are very creative. They’re very good about this. So I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas.”

Soroka is excited by what the Chamber Orchestra will be able to do this year and moving into the future. In addition to their studio recital planned for February, there are tentative plans for the group to perform locally and tour away from Goshen. “I’d like to take this group, for example, to Greencroft because there are so many people who appreciate and love the music, but they can’t travel anymore,” Soroka said. “Because music unites us and music is to share.”