California Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts hosted its Spring Collegium Musicum Concert on Tuesday, March 25, directed by Jeremy Ward, adjunct professor of music. From 7 to 8 p.m., students, faculty and a class of elementary and middle school students from the Riverside Unified School District gathered in Room 101 of the Hawkins Music Building to hear and learn about Baroque-style music.
Collegium Musicum has existed since the 16th century and is one of the earliest forms of organized music-making, predating composers such as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. In contemporary usage, the term refers to ensembles that focus on historically informed performance practices.
According to early music ensemble lead Professor Ward, Collegium Musicum is about “… taking the original context of music and trying to perform music … in [the] way that it would have originally been performed.” For Tuesday’s concert, this process included re-evaluating the tuning of instruments, tempo choices and other artistic decisions.
The ensemble, made up of 11 students and faculty, featured violins, viola, cello, flute, oboe, bassoon and the rare addition of a harpsichord. Ward, who directed the group, curated the set list to spotlight each performer.
“… Everyone kind of has a little bit of a solo moment,” Ward said. “I program music so that everyone can kind of get this moment to be featured … I will search for pieces that [highlight] everyone’s talents.”
Students not only demonstrated their instrumental skills but also showcased their knowledge of the historical context of the pieces they performed. Ward structured the evening as a lecture-recital to emphasize that the musicians at the School of Performing Arts are both performers and scholars.
Rebecca Moon, freshman music education major who played viola in the concert, appreciated the inclusive nature of SOPA’s ensembles.
“… The ensembles we have here are so diverse… [they’re] open for students of SOPA, regardless of background, to audition for,” Moon said. “I think it definitely lets us have experiences in a wide variety of music genres.” JUMP
After the event, students and faculty gathered to congratulate the performers, reinforcing that the audience is a meaningful part of these performances. The Collegium Musicum Concert not only showcased student talent—it also inspired young musicians in the audience, made faculty proud of their investments and encouraged music majors to appreciate their peers.
One such audience member was freshman music education major Cecilia Pirone, who regularly supports her classmates by attending SOPA events.
“They’re opportunities to … celebrate just everything that your fellow peers get to do,” Pirone said.
As SOPA continues to host concerts and performances, Ward encouraged more students to attend.
“… [It’s] really inspiring when other people are passionate about something—it kind of piques our interest to do it,” he said. “People always love to see people do what they love the most.”
