The concertmaster’s scroll bobbed up and down as the first note emanated through the Ferst Center. It was the first concert of the year, and the audience’s anticipation was tangible. Parents and peers filled the seats, eagerly awaiting the orchestra’s performance of modern and classical pieces. Cameras flashed, and parents eagerly held their phones at the ready, ensuring they captured the perfect moment to share with loved ones.
The orchestra began with the first piece, “Broken Crystal” by Ke-Chia Chen. Chaowen Ting, the Director of Orchestral Studies at the Institute, reminisced about her discovery of this piece, specifically recounting the composer’s Taiwanese descent. She said that the choice of pieces was somewhat arbitrary; she found them online with no prior exposure to them.
The music was enthralling and almost cathartic on Monday night when Tech’s Symphony Orchestra took the stage. The drums kept the rhythm, and the wind instruments added a dimension that further elevated the performance. The tension was palpable, as the music felt like a soundtrack to the movie’s climax, where the main character found themselves in a seemingly inescapable situation.
The violinists and violists performed the second piece while standing up and without the assistance of the conductor. The orchestra moved as one as the concertmaster and another musician nodded to each other, setting the tempo for the entire duration of the performance.
The performance was captivating, as the parts came together harmoniously and constructed something beautiful. “Miriam Danced By the Sea” was more playful, channeling an uplifting energy that was sure to wake up any droopy eyes in the audience.
The grand ending was a classical piece. Many students looked on in awe as the soloists took the stage. They were alumni who came back to perform with the orchestra and exhibited unmatched technical skill. The violinist and cellist shifted positions seamlessly, making an incredibly complex piece look simple with deliberate, practiced shifting that seemed like second nature.
They were focused yet graceful, and their movements were calculated with an added artistic flair that made the piece their own. The violinist was incredibly graceful, navigating challenging string crossings, while the cellist did the same, albeit on a larger scale. They complemented the orchestra perfectly, a fitting finale to what was not just a concert, but an immensely awe-inspiring journey.
The wonderful relationships Ting has with her students exemplify the orchestra’s culture. Her smile widened as she described the students and her joy in watching them grow over time, oftentimes noticeably changing since their graduation. She views her students as family, and she looked at them with incredible admiration and pride after they had completed an exceedingly challenging final piece.
Daeyong Kwon, fourth-year CS from Ellicott City, Md., expressed his love for music and the Tech orchestra. The final piece was his recommendation, which Ting incorporated into the final program.
Along with his impressive musical ability, Kwon excels in other areas of his life. As a former VP of the Korean Undergraduate Student Association and a current TA for Machine Learning, he keeps a rigorous course load and stays engaged through campus organizations. He said that he is able to balance his various extracurricular and academic commitments by partitioning time as efficiently as possible. He has another rule that has served him well and has led to his continued success.
“I stay off of social media,” Kwon said — something that we all struggle with but he has achieved.
Incredible discipline among the orchestra enables them to play increasingly complex pieces, something that would not be possible without extensive practice and study. However, Kwon said that those who have an orchestral background should consider joining. Kwonstarted playing in sixth grade and has been at it ever since.
His success points to a work ethic and dedication that define not only orchestra students but many of those at Georgia Tech. Students are multifaceted, not only achieving great academic feats and career milestones, but also having time for a social life and life outside of their regularly scheduled programming.
The orchestra has concerts throughout the academic year, and specific dates are posted on the GT Music website, www.music.gatech.edu/orchestras. The performance schedule is posted through Spring 2026, and all events are free to attend and conveniently located at the Ferst Center for the Arts.