The Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra will play in Akin Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m., under the direction of Susan Harvey, music department chair, and Gina Menden, director for the string orchestra. The Youth Symphony Orchestra will play music by Coldplay, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Verdi and others.

“We give a concert every semester, one in the fall and one in the spring, and sometimes we give an additional concert,” Harvey said. “We are giving a concert in Archer City in a few weeks, and that’s going to be a Christmas program to add something different.”

Harvey encourages students to attend the free concerts to support the community and aspiring musicians.

“It’s great to see how well kids can play expressively with their instruments,” Harvey said. “During a live concert, you can feel it more. You can close your eyes and listen to it and hear it live, and gain a different perspective in feeling it live.”

Kevin Ruddy, English senior, said, “having concerts by musicians other than university musicians reinforces the idea behind a liberal arts school, and students should support the programs and community.”

Ruddy said it is a great idea for students to step out of the their comfort zones and attend a classical concert if they haven’t yet, and to support the young musicians who are finding their craft.

“Watching a live concert is a different experience than just listening to the radio. I think you can get a deeper appreciation for music when you hear it live. The atmosphere is full of energy and you can see and feel the energy of the musicians,” Ruddy said. “I would definitely suggest my friends go to the concert,” he added.

Serah Welborn, English sophomore who plays cello, said, “most of the time the music you listen to live is a more rich experience, and you can change your perspective of classical music.”

Todd Giles, Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra board member, said, “attending the Youth Symphony Orchestra concert is a great way for members of the community to show their support for local schools and students. It’s also a great way to listen to some beautiful classical music. “It’s all about art- art and community!”

Giles said any time students, faculty and staff attend concerts, lectures, art exhibitions and theatre performances on campus, they are showing support for the university’s liberal arts mission.

“Part of attending a liberal arts university is getting out there and experiencing new things–new cultures, sounds, art and ideas,” Giles said.