“Eh, what’s up, doc”? is a question that will forever force everyone to take a walk down memory lane to the classic Bugs Bunny cartoon series. Just last year, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra brought these old memories to life with a show called, “Bugs Bunny on Broadway.”
These timeless cartoons were mixed with classical music in an attempt to expose families and people of all ages to the wonders of traditional music. This year they continue with the goal of bringing a lively twist to their music, and will be playing at the Union Theater this Sunday.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has developed quite a reputation since its start in 1959. Although they are most known for their traditional music, they have had plenty of time to perform different sounds such as that classic cartoon remake. This perfection has been demonstrated in various popular music concerts they have performed throughout the years. Attracting a diverse audience has never been a problem for this orchestra, which might one day perform their own version of Lady Gaga.
“There is something for everyone at some point during the season,” violinist and Associate Concertmaster Ilana Setapen, who has been with the orchestra for a little over a year, said.
The odds of becoming a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra are not to be taken lightly. Out of the 22,000 applicants that apply, which is around 250 for each chair, only 88 are accepted to create what is considered to be one of the nation’s finest orchestras. College students who are applying to graduate schools or for popular majors understand the pressures of slim odds. But Setapen did not let this narrow probability stop her from trying, and she encourages others to do the same.
“There are only a handful of openings in the country each year for any given instrument, so when a spot that you’d like opens up you have to go for it,” Setapen said. “I was just lucky that MSO is such a wonderful orchestra. I’m very happy to be in Milwaukee.”
Setapen also encourages others to pursue their own goals at becoming a member of any orchestra they wish.
“It takes lots of hard work and persistence. No one is going to hand you opportunities… you have to create them on your own. But it is a very rewarding career if you have the patience and willpower to pursue it,” she said.
The Milwaukee Orchestra can contribute bits and pieces of its success to the six different conductors that have left their mark. Currently, Dutch conductor Edo de Waart is leaving his own mark by conducting the Orchestra through concerts that have attracted more than 9,000 people. In particular “Beethoven’s 9th Symphony” and “Rachmaninoff” are songs that have routinely left MSO’s audiences in awe.
Despite the high professional level of the orchestra, Waart is reported to have developed a great rapport with the orchestra.
“He is very professional but still approachable and good-humored. He comes up with priceless metaphors to help describe the music,” Setapen revealed.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be coming to Madison Sunday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Theatre. The experience might be priceless, but if a price did have to be set, it would be only $10 for students. There is a pre-concert lecture by Perry Allaire at 6:30 p.m. for those who desire to learn more about the orchestra. Songs such as “Grieg’s Suite No. 1” from “Peer Gynt” and Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14 with concertmaster Frank Almond will be performed. The songs were carefully selected just for a Madison audience who has reacted positively to their performances in the past.
Bugs Bunny once said, “Ask me to weave? What about you? Where’s your ticket”? Do not let Bugs Bunny down and make sure to stop by the Wisconsin Union Theater to pick up a ticket for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
