With a recent change in leadership, the Ferris State University West Central Chamber Orchestra welcomes a diverse range of members from the community, enhancing its inclusive and community-focused atmosphere.
The WCCO involves current Ferris students and community members from high and select schools throughout West Central Michigan. The orchestra currently has 28 members.
The orchestra conductor Dr. Daniel Atwood is in his second year. He is a band director by trade and has a passion for music. By conducting the orchestra, he brings in members of the community through Music for Life.
“Through Ferris, we have this idea which we call Music for Life,” Atwood said. “We know we don’t have music majors here, so we’re not turning out people who are going into music as their career or their profession. Through the Music for Life mantra, our choir is also open to community members, our orchestra and our concert band. Anyone can join from the community, and anyone Ferris student who has a background in any of those areas can join those ensembles too.”
According to Atwood, the age range of community members that join the orchestra varies as it is open to the public. Students in high school, and even alumni, have a chance to participate in the orchestra.
“Last year, we had a high school student from Big Rapids who’s seventeen, and our oldest member is 86,” Atwood said. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to see that you can continue to do this after you leave Ferris. You can continue to play whether it be in a concert band or singing in a choir. You can continue to be involved in music.”
For their upcoming concert, the orchestra will be performing “Land of the Silver Birch,” “Ani Ma’amin” and “Hopak.”
They’ll also combine with the FSU Concert Choir and perform “Nella Fantasia,” an Italian song based on “Gabriel’s Oboe” from the film “The Mission.” Together, the choir, concert band and orchestra will perform melodies of songs written by Irving Berlin and melodies of hits by The Beetles.
Dani Clark, who plays the violin and has been a community member since 2021, joined the orchestra after taking time off from playing.
“The first time I played was in 2004,” Clark said. “I had done concerts in high school. And then life took over. In February of 2021, I got a hold of the music program here and I jumped right back in after 18 years of taking orchestra off. So I’m going now four years back in, and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Manufacturing engineering sophomore Isaac Anderson, who plays percussion, has found it a privilege working alongside Atwood.
“Working with Dr. Atwood has been so much fun,” Anderson said. “I’m so lucky and blessed to have him as a director. I’ve had some good band directors, but he’s gone above and beyond with developing people and seeing the good in them. He doesn’t let anybody down in any sense. He’s a great guy to play with, play for and work with.”
Information security and intelligence senior Christian Smith, who plays stream bass, sees himself continuing to play music after he graduates.
“I really doubt I’ll ever put my instrument down,” Smith said. “I do enjoy playing it, and I do enjoy being a part of an orchestra. Ultimately, that’s where I would say I find home because it’s where I feel most comfortable. I do see myself in the future still playing with some group, somewhere, at some point.”
Smith compared music to riding a bike. He could be put away for a while and then he could come back to it. He also said he plans to come back and play for the orchestra as an alumnus because of the positive experience he’s had with the orchestra as a student.
The WCCO will have two concerts this semester. They plan to host their winter and spring band & orchestra concerts in March and April in Williams Auditorium.