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Headline: Briggs Roberts to make symphonic debut

Summary: Conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts will make his debut leading the Washington/ Idaho Symphony at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 26.

The quiet chambers of the Richard L. Domey Auditorium will come to life on the night of Sept. 26 as the Washington Idaho Symphony performs the works of Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

The performance titled, “Symphonic Titans” will be musical director and conductor Jeremy Briggs Roberts’ debut as the leader of the Washington Idaho Symphony.

“It’s a completely active entertainment option,” Briggs Roberts said. “It requires you to engage your mind. It’s an interesting form of entertainment. There’s nothing like coming to a live performance.”

The show starts at 7 p.m. and general admission tickets cost $18. Richard L. Domey Auditorium is located in the Gladish Community and Cultural Center in Pullman.

The two pieces that will be heard at the Richard L. Domey Auditorium are Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major or more commonly referred to as “Jupiter,” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Briggs Roberts considers these pieces powerhouses in the classical music genre.

“Both pieces are huge representations of the classical symphonic repertoire,” he said. “When they are played they are very large in scope.”

Prior to the show, Briggs Roberts will give a lesson about each piece and how they are performed. Briggs Roberts believes it is important for the audience to know about the background of each piece.

“People who come to this show will walk away with a unique experience,” Briggs Roberts said. “From depths of sadness and depressions to jubilation and happiness this show encompasses all emotions. It shows the full capability of the orchestra.”

More than 70 instrumentalists make up the Washington Idaho Symphony. One reason why such a large symphony can exist in a sparsely populated area is because Washington State University and the University of Idaho create a vast pool of talent.

Most of the instrumentalists come from the musical programs of both universities, said Kierstin Ross, executive director of the Washington Idaho Symphony.

“All our musicians go through a competitive audition process,” she said. “We really do have a world class orchestra. Considering our location I think we are very fortunate.”

A portion of the money collected from the show will go directly back to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to help support programs at the center such as karate and education lessons, said Denis McConnell, Gladish executive director.

Events like the symphony also increase the visibility of the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to people who normally would not see it.

“We get a lot of students that come here for the symphony and see we have an auditorium and then use it later for their groups,” McConnell said.

Ross admits that college students do not make up a large portion of the audience that goes to a symphony. However, the Washington Idaho Symphony has tried to expand its audience by choosing exciting pieces to perform and keeping ticket prices affordable.

“I think a lot of students just haven’t tried to go to a symphony,” Ross said. “Many are not in touch with classical music. It can be such a nice evening out and I think it’s something students would enjoy.”

Briggs Roberts promises his first show will be a hit for those in attendance.

“It will be a really lively and vibrant atmosphere,” he said. “Everyone should really come and enjoy it.”