U. Orchestra plays with 'force'

"The Force" will be with the University of Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra tonight as it teams with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra to perform a traditional crowd-pleaser -- the theme from Star Wars. The orchestras will perform their joint concert tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of the Saviour at 38th and Chestnut streets. The Penn Orchestra -- consisting of both students and community members -- will kick off the concert with Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Columbia will perform Dvorak's Ninth Symphony. The program will close with Penn's rendition of Academy Award-winning composer John Williams' Star Wars. "[We chose] Star Wars because we wanted something fun that everyone loves," said Penn Orchestra President Siddhartha Banthiya, a College senior. "[We] thought it would draw more undergraduates." Banthiya explained that the 120-year-old, 95-member Penn Orchestra has two major goals this semester -- to increase undergraduate interest in the group and to play in a more diverse array of venues. Accordingly, the Penn Orchestra has attempted to heighten publicity for tonight's concert. "[We're on] the Walk, the [bookstore] wall, posted on listservs, I've spoken to the house deans in the high rises," Banthiya said. Compared to other colleges, Penn has traditionally had the largest number of non-students in its orchestra, according Averbach. "Our orchestra is really unique in that it's a lot of community members -- doctors from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, professors and graduate students," Banthiya added. Banthiya said he hopes this increased publicity will lead to a larger audience for the free concert and the opportunity to play in more venues, as well as increased collaboration with the rest of the Ivy League. The Orchestra went on a tour of France last December and received excellent reviews, Banthiya said. Plans for another international tour are in the works, and the Penn Orchestra is currently soliciting corporate donations to help finance the trip. "A lot of the other Ivy League orchestras have international tours every year," said Banthiya. "We're trying to do more of that." In order to expand its visibility on the home front, the Orchestra is seeking to collaborate with other college orchestras for concerts across the country. Later this season the Orchestra will perform at Columbia's Miller Theatre, reciprocating the New York City school's trip to West Philadelphia. The Penn Orchestra has also met with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for coaching. Averbach said he chose Schererazade for the opening piece partly because its Center City counterpart is known for playing it.