​Movies and classical music are a perfect duo. Classical music has a timeless and recognizable quality, and it contains such passionate emotional and intellectual expression that it simply cannot be left out of the soundtrack behind a great fight scene or an emotional speech.
Movies were created to use pictures to evoke emotions and feelings among audiences, and classical compositions were written to do the same thing using instrumentals and vocals, so it makes sense that they are so commonly pieced together.
If you turn on any movie or TV show, there is a huge chance that you will hear at least one piece of classical music. Whether it’s a full chorus of brass during battle, or a clip of strings during a suspenseful moment, there is a major likelihood that you will experience at least one classical piece coming from the speakers.
Back in the 18th century and early 19th century, classical pieces were the backbone of operas. An opera is a dramatic performance set to music with singers and instrumentalists. Movies are the modern-day opera and the popular performance art of our time. The standard classical music style originated shortly before the creation of operas, and thus, the two were made to fit together. Because movies are akin to operas, it is apparent that classical music belongs in the soundtracks of movies.
When you see a movie, the music reflects what’s happening on the screen. Somber music adds to somber images, suspenseful music adds to suspenseful music, etc. When used correctly, using classical music in movies will increase the overall impact of emotions and feelings that the movie is trying to evoke.
While some movies use classical music from classical era composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner, other movies use music from contemporary classical composers.
Movies such as “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List,” and “Titanic” all have very famous soundtracks that were commissioned from contemporary classical composers. Contemporary classical composers are people that write classical music in modern times. Contemporary classical music follows the same style and structure of the classical era, but it’s written more recently and has more modern influences.
“Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List” soundtracks were created by the same composer: John Williams. John Williams is arguably the most prominent movie soundtrack composer of the 21st century, doing movies such as “Star Wars,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Home Alone,” “Jaws” and many more.
Pieces from composers such as John Williams are constantly being played by bands of all ages and skill-levels alongside classical era pieces. The prominence of contemporary classical music in movie soundtracks is creating a musical environment in which modern works are becoming almost as recognizable as those from the 18th-19th centuries.

Movies and classical music are the perfect duo. Classical music has a timeless and recognizable quality, and it contains such passionate emotional and intellectual expression that it simply cannot be left out of the soundtrack behind a great fight scene or an emotional speech.
Movies were created to use pictures to evoke emotions and feelings among audiences, and classical compositions were written to do the same thing using instrumentals and vocals, so it makes sense that they are so commonly pieced together.
If you turn on any movie or TV show, there is a chance that you will hear at least one piece of classical music. Whether it is a full chorus of brass during battle or a clip of strings during a suspenseful moment, there is a major likelihood that you will experience at least one classical piece coming from the speakers.
Back in the 18th century and early 19th century, classical pieces were the backbone of operas. An opera is a dramatic performance set to music with singers and instrumentalists. Movies are the modern-day opera and the popular performance art of our time. The standard classical music style originated shortly before the creation of operas, and thus, the two were made to fit together. Because movies are akin to operas, it is apparent that classical music belongs in the soundtracks of movies.
When you see a movie, the music reflects what is happening on the screen. Somber music adds to somber images, suspenseful music adds to suspenseful actions, etc. When used correctly, using classical music in movies will increase the overall impact of emotions and feelings that the movie is trying to evoke.
While some movies use classical music from classical era composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Wagner, other movies use music from contemporary classical composers.
Movies such as “Jurassic Park,” “Schindler’s List” and “Titanic” all have very famous soundtracks that were commissioned from contemporary-classical composers. Contemporary-classical composers are people that write classical music in modern times. Contemporary-classical music follows the same style and structure of the classical era, but it’s written more recently and has more modern influences.
“Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List” soundtracks were created by the same composer: John Williams. Williams is arguably the most prominent movie soundtrack composer of the 21st century, doing movies such as “Star Wars,” “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Home Alone,” “Jaws” and many more.
Pieces from composers such as Williams are constantly being played by bands of all ages and skill-levels alongside classical era pieces. The prominence of contemporary classical music in movie soundtracks is creating a musical environment in which modern works are becoming almost as recognizable as those from the 18th to 19th century.

Waverly Chamber Music Series wants to bring together members of the community who enjoy music, including Wartburg students. Musicians often say that their inspiration to pursue music often came from another group or musician. People learn from the power of observation their entire lives, and that doesn’t stop once you reach adulthood. In the same way someone would learn a magician’s tricks, by watching and paying close attention, musicians can gain knew knowledge watching other musicians perform.
Waverly Chamber Music Series features many different styles of chamber music, and many different types of groups as well. It is very beneficial for a student to be exposed to all styles of music to increase their repertoire.
Watching concerts will help young musicians discover new sounds. Often, music students are exposed to high school, maybe some college, and one or two professional concerts before they transition into post-secondary education. Every music group has a different sound, different instruments, and different skill sets. Hearing a wide range of music is very important to expand a student’s musical knowledge.
If anything, watching other musicians perform is inspiring for a young student. Seeing the skills of a particular musician or group can encourage someone to continue practicing and improving their own abilities.
Waverly Chamber Music Series’ mission is to bring together members of the community. When Wartburg students attend a concert, they’re able to be around and talk with music lovers from all walks of life, and they’re not just exposed to other students and their experiences. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, both music and otherwise, and getting to know people outside of a peer group can help develop a student’s worldview.
Seeing a live concert with the community is a great way for Wartburg students to spend their time and expand their horizons.

The Waverly Chamber Music Series is pleased to announce the fourth concert in their 2017-18 inaugural season featuring The WolfGang.

The WolfGang performs instrumental chamber music from the time of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, playing on musical instruments of the type that were used during Mozart’s life. The fortepiano is a replica of a Stein fortepiano. The violin, viola and cello are either originals from the 18th century or are carefully modeled after 18th century instruments. The keyed flutes are copies of classical keyed flutes made by some of the great woodwind makers of the late 18th century. A Twin-Cities based ensemble, The WolfGang has been performing, recording, and touring for over 22 years in a style that “fits” the Mozart era.
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For its Waverly Chamber Music Series debut, The WolfGang combines two curious quartets by Giuseppe Cambini with two magnificent trios by Franz Josef Haydn, topped off by a miracle: a new transcription by The WolfGang's flutist Paul Jacobson of Haydn’s MiracleSymphony, No. 96 in D Major. This will perhaps also be topped off with one of the groups magical favorites: the overture from Zauberflöte, also transcribed for The WolfGang by Paul.
 
Haydn’s “Miracle” Symphony earned its name because of a somewhat miraculous event at its premier performance in London. (The remarkable nature of this event will be revealed at the March 4th.) The symphony was composed and premiered in 1791, the same year as Mozart’s opera Die Zauberflöte (“The Magic Flute”), and, sadly, as Mozart’s untimely death.
 
The WolfGang will perform March 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM in the Narthex of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School. The concert is free and open to the public.

Here's what a few of our board members had to say about the concert:

"Having Julia, Hannah, Ross, and Sean here to start the season was truly amazing! They are such incredible performers and the crowd welcomed them enthusiastically. What a great kick-off concert!" - Eric

"The concert was outstanding! The performances were excellent, the pieces performed were gorgeous, and the large audience's response was very enthusiastic. Bravo to all!" - Ted

​"It was gratifying to see so many community members come together to see a wonderful group of talented musicians. The selections they chose for that day were complex and interesting; the group was engaging and dynamic. To see the community and musicians engaged in conversation after the concert really reaffirmed for me that the WCMS really is a treasure." - Penni

"The UNI Faculty Piano Quartet presented an intensely beautiful program, playing with unforgettable precision and passion. Within the gently live acoustic of the St. Paul's Narthex, we enjoyed an open, airy atmosphere, intimate enough to feel as one with the performers and fellow full-house audience members. This community vibe extended into a warm post-concert reception where audience and performers lingered and conversed freely over tasteful refreshments. An exceptional experience not to be missed, this is the beginning of something sensational." - Jennifer

The WCMS second concert of the 2017-18 season will feature Lumina, a professional women's ensemble based in the Twin Cities. Lumina is dedicated to the mystery, beauty, and hope inherent in music. and their programming draws from a rich well of musical sources including Medieval chants, Renaissance motets, folk song traditions, and works by living and local composers. 

With a full schedule for 2017 and 2018,  Waverly is the second stop in the ensemble's season of performances and their only Iowa appearance! 

The performers of Lumina include Lina Kachelmeier, Artistic Director and Alto; Angela Grundstad, Soprano; Clara Osowski, Alto; and Kim Sueoka, Soprano. 

For more information on Lumina and its members, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our emails*. Also check out Lumina's website for videos, photos, and audio recordings! 
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*To subscribe to emails from the WCMS, email us at waverlychambermusic@gmail.com with the subject line "Email Subscriber," along with your first and last name. 

The WCMS Presents Lumina
When: Sunday, November 19th, 2017 | 2:00 pm
Where: St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School
301 First St. NW, Waverly, IA 50677

This and all WCMS concerts are completely free and open to the public.

RSVP for the event and receive reminders here. 

Dr. Ted Reuter has lived in Waverly and has served as a music faculty member at Wartburg College for the past 28 years. Ted is a Professor of Piano and teaches music history.

Ted is an original member of the former Wartburg Castle Chamber Series and is excited to continue to help bring outstanding chamber music to the Waverly community as a member of the WCMS board. Ted looks forward to utilizing his friendships with many outstanding music professionals throughout the region and bringing his love and passion for chamber music to the board.

Though Ted has too many favorite pieces of chamber music to choose just one, he is certain that the performances the WCMS has scheduled will provide an excellent, diverse musical experience for the Waverly and Cedar Valley community.

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Dr. Jennifer Larson has lived in Waverly for the past 10 years and works as an Associate Professor of Music (Voice) at Wartburg College.

“As a performer/educator with a passion for the performing arts and their proven substantial benefit to individuals and communities, I am thrilled to be a part of an organization of professionals working to bring a steady offering of high quality musical experiences to the communities of the Cedar Valley,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer’s favorite piece of chamber music is the one she’s working on at any given time! In general, she really loves and enjoys music that awakens the intellect and erases boundaries between people.

About what she is most excited about with the WCMS, Jennifer said, “I get goosebumps thinking about the way these concerts will feed the seasoned lover of ‘classical’ chamber music. My vision and hope is that the WCMS concert experiences will lift individuals to a better version of themselves, and knit together the good people of Waverly and our surrounding communities as we engage in and strengthen human connections with one another.”

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