UNI alumnus to sub in at the symphony concert

Saturday's Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra (WCFSO) concert, held at 7:30 p.m. in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, will feature not only a guest composer, but also a University of Northern Iowa student.

Isaac Brockshus, who graduated in December as a composition theory major with honors with distinction, will stand in for UNI associate professor of piano Sean Botkin at the upcoming concert.

"I'm just completely flattered that Sean Botkin, a guy who's going to play with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra next year, asked me to be his substitute," Brockshus said. "I was completely honored, and this is a concert I was already excited for. I mean, I was already planning on buying my ticket and going myself."

The concert will also feature an up-and-coming composer, 26-year-old Timothy Andres, also known as Timo. The symphony will perform his piece "Bathtub Shrine," as well as two additional pieces by Mozart and Robert Schumann.

"Timo just writes, like, music-lover's music," Brockshus said. "You don't have to be a classical music lover to enjoy his music."

Brockshus will be playing Hammond organ and piano on "Bathtub Shrine." Though he does not play the entire time, Brockshus had to learn the eight-and-a-half minute-long piece in the two weeks since he was requested to play by Botkin.

"It was a bit of a stroke of luck because there are regular substitutes for any position in the Symphony, including the piano, but... none of the substitutes could make it either," Brockshus said. "It's kind of a strike of lightning."

Brockshus first learned about Andres and his music on a blog.

"There's quite a bit of buzz around this guy," Brockshus said. "Cedar Falls is very lucky to have him come. I imagine he'll be too expensive for the Symphony in a couple of years."

Because this is Brockshus' first semi-professional and paid orchestra performance, he is, "a bit nervous, but ‘good' nervous."

"I've been involved in a lot of concerts at this point, and as a composer, I'm always interested in writing music that will work with an audience," Brockshus said. "So it's really appealing to have the chance to work with a composer who's coming to be a part of the concert."

Brockshus feels that the show will reach out to the college student audience the WCFSO wants to attract because it features a young composer.

"This is a great concert to go to if you've never been to one," Brockshus said.

Brockshus also enjoys being a part of a "fusion" of different musicians.

"Any musical experience, any performing experience – it's people with completely different life experiences that come together, and it's just really amazing once you think about it – that we're all able to join together in such a meaningful way," Brockshus said.

Brockshus believes classical music has lost its popularity because audience members do not feel as though they are a part of this fusion.

"(The audience) feels kind of cut off by all the tuxes and all the really formal rules that are associated with (a concert)," Brockshus said. "Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Symphony) understands this, and Jason (Weinberger, WCFSO conductor) understands this. What you'll notice about his concerts is, you can feel that shared energy – the audience feels like they're part of it."

Students can call 273-4TIX to purchase tickets for the concert for $5. More information on Timothy Andres can be found on his website, www.andres.com, and his songs are available on Spotify.