Maggie Lile, features editor
Oboe player Charlotte Taddeo is a veteran for the Augsburg Concert Band. She’s in her eighth semester with this group, and it’s clear that she has a passion for creating music. “I have been in the band the entire time that I have been a student here. Being a part of a large ensemble is an experience like no other. It is a huge act of collaboration,” she stated in an interview with the Echo.
Her passion and talent have carried her even further than just the concerts here at Augsburg. She was recently selected to be a part of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Honor Band — for the third time. “I feel very honored to be a part of large and talented groups like this. It feels like all my hard work over the past few years has paid off,” she said.
I feel very honored to be a part of large and talented groups like this. It feels like all my hard work over the past few years has paid off.
charlotte taddeo
The Honor Band, made up of other talented musicians from colleges across the state, provides an opportunity for these musicians who don’t know each other yet to curate a whole new performance. “I don’t know the exact size of the honor band this year, but in the past it has been about 90-100 people — which is over double the Augsburg Concert Band!” Taddeo stated. The first rehearsal started at 1 p.m. on Feb. 13 and lasted into the evening, and the second and final rehearsal occurred the morning of Friday, Feb. 14 — the same day as the performance. “The whole event takes place in just two very fast paced days!” she added.
Although this performance features a very traditional style of concert music, there was also something new and modern about it. “Four out of the five pieces are by living composers, which is really unique for classical concerts like this. I find a lot of meaning in playing music by people who are alive.”
While musical performance is certainly one of her passions, Taddeo’s love for music has driven her to pursue a degree in music therapy. “Music therapy is a field that helps people reach goals outside of music through music…I was inspired to be a music therapist because I was interested in pursuing both music and psychology, but I couldn’t see myself working in either of those fields. When I learned about music therapy a big lightbulb went off in my brain and I knew that it was the field I wanted to go into,” she recalled.
“I can’t think of another thing I do that brings over 40 people together to create one thing,” says Taddeo, in reflection of her time as a part of the Augsburg Concert Band. As simple as this may seem, this statement truly does sum up what it means to be a part of an ensemble; where else can you find that many people — people from all different places, backgrounds and cultures — to sync with one another that well and to bring something as special as a song to life?
Catch Taddeo and the rest of the Augsburg Concert Band in their next performance on March 2 in Hoversten Chapel at 3 p.m.