Rich and resonant tones filled the auditorium as audience members gathered to witness the performance “From Vienna to the Andes” by the university’s Philharmonic Orchestra. This immersive experience showcased the range and versatility of the student and faculty ensemble, featuring solo pianist Dr. Yoshiko Arahata and former student composers, Albert Yoshimoto and Cristian Aarón Pereira.
The program moved across different musical periods, showcasing pieces from famous composers like Mozart, Yoshimoto, Pereira, Piazzolla/Espinoza, and Beethoven. Through the arrangements, the directors hoped to convey a message of hope and remaking ourselves. The orchestra established a confident presence, creating an emotional depth to the compositions. The sense of unity among the musicians was clear through their movement, as if they were breathing together.
“We’re not just some college orchestra,” concertmaster of the orchestra, Abby Soulsby, said. “We’ve got these really amazing people, and we want to grow the group as much as we possibly can.”
Soulsby has played the violin for eight years, and she attributes part of the unity within the orchestra to the guidance of its directors and professors.
“They’ve learned so much just by how much experience they have, and it’s so nice that they get to relay that onto us,” Soulsby said.
Led by Conductor Jorge Espinoza and Co-Director Daniel Vega-Albela, the performance created space for the performers to enlighten the audience. The orchestra was designed to highlight individual artistry as well. Primarily that of pianist Arahata, whose playing brought a new layer of intensity to the stage.
Arahata performed a piano concerto composed by Ludwig van Beethoven with the ensemble. As she played, her focus was visible, and the music rose with intensity. Her performance was a showcase of not only her experience playing the piano for most of her life, but also the work she does for student performers. Students are given the opportunity to work alongside an experienced performer in a live setting, a sound that the orchestra undoubtedly showed.
“I love collaborating with a lot of people,” Arahata said. “There’s a lot of challenge because of it, but it makes it so much [more] rewarding.”
For the musicians, the performance reflected their technical growth and the collaborative effort it takes to create art. With a month and a half of preparation, the ensemble worked to refine as individuals as well as a cohesive unit.
“What is involved in addition to having rehearsals is that every individual practices,” orchestra conductor Espinoza said. “Whenever they have to practice, they develop their skills.”
Ezpinoza described the individual effort as something that transforms into a shared sense of accomplishment during their performances. One member, a violist with over a decade of experience, described the experience as especially rewarding after weeks of preparation and collaboration.
“Making really, really beautiful music with a community of people that also love music, it just gives me chills every time we finally put something together,” Danielle Mendiola said.
The evening highlighted the dedication and unity within the Philharmonic Orchestra and how individual effort can create an artistic and powerful performance that reaches the community. Through performances like “From Vienna to the Andes,” the orchestra continues to foster its harmony and growth as it brings each other together with a shared passion for live classical music.
Anonymous • May 30, 2026 at 2:37 AM
It is so nice to hear the NMSU Philharmonic performing major orchestral works. Please keep up the momentum!