JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE BROOKS CENTER
May 6th, 2008 - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm - We ask you to take a moment to consider your part in our pursuit of excellence as we prepare for our Learn More...
WordBRIDGE Playwrights Laboratory
June 7th, 2008 - June 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm - A collaboration between the Clemson’s Department of Performing Arts and the Generous Company, a non- Learn More...
WordBRIDGE • New Play Development: Past, Present and Future in the United States
June 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pm - As part of WordBRIDGE a panel discussion on the development of new plays in the United States is pla Learn More...
WordBRIDGE • Workshop/Lecture with Crosby Hunt
June 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm - As part of WordBRIDGE Crosby Hunt will lead a workshop/lecture on storytelling. Hunt is a theatre p Learn More...
WordBRIDGE • Presents Daniel Stein in "TIMEPIECE"
June 13th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - As a part of WordBRIDGE, Daniel Stein will perform his one-man mime movement work "Timepiece," a wor Learn More...
Brooks Center Hosts
All-State Orchestra Weekend
More than 250 of South Carolina’s most talented sixth- through twelfth-grade musicians were recently at Clemson University to participate in the 2008 All-State Orchestra at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. The middle and high school students traveled from all parts of the Palmetto State, including as far away as Hilton Head Island and as close as Greenville.
Organized by the South Carolina Music Educators Association, the All-State Orchestra program provides opportunities for student musicians to perform at the highest level possible as well as a chance for the kids share their love of orchestral music with each other.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to show South Carolina’s students and their teachers the wonderful facilities and faculty we have here,” said Andrew Levin, the conductor of the Clemson University Symphony Orchestra and host of the event. “If the state’s music students didn’t know what opportunities we have for them before this weekend, they certainly do now.”
Considered to be the best student musicians in South Carolina, these pre-teen and teenaged musicians were selected in a two-stage process that included regional auditions to perform in their area orchestras. Then in the early spring, the cream-of-the-crop were chosen to attend “All-State,” a three-day orchestra extravaganza 
complete with all day rehearsals, a concert, and time for the kids to socialize. “All-State weekend is a ‘hot-house’ of music making,” said Levin. “The kids make new friends and play at levels much higher than they do on a regular basis.”
William Hofeldt, a nationally known composer and clinician for public school musicians, conducted the Junior All-State Orchestra (grades 6-8) and Ohio State University music professor Robert Gillespie led the Senior All-State Orchestra (grades 9-10). Furman University conductor Thomas Joiner conducted the state’s Senior Honors All-State Orchestra (grades 11-12).
The ensembles played a variety of music. The junior orchestra premiered the 
conductor’s new work, “Palmetto Suite” and the senior orchestra performed works by Gliere, Dvorak, and Morton Gould. The senior honors groups played selections of Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique,” Rimksy-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” and Saint Saens’ “Cello Concerto in A minor,” with high school soloist Seth Russell.
A number of Clemson University music faculty members also participated in this weekend. Mark Spede, Clemson director of bands, and assistant band director Brian Sproul both conducted wind rehearsals; Clemson violin and viola instructor Leslie Warlick and cello instructor Elizabeth Austin led several string rehearsals; and Paul Buyer, director of percussion, supervised the usage of a large battery of percussion instruments by the talented high school musicians in the orchestra.
As the site host, Levin was in the Brooks Center all weekend to assist the event organizers in their activities and was on hand to answer questions about the facilities and programs in the Department of Performing Arts. Brooks Center production supervisor Woody Moore and his crew were instrumental in preparing the center for this event, “which made use of every corner of the building,” said Levin. “Students practiced and rehearsed on our stage, in the lobby, in the Bellamy Theatre, in the large rehearsal room, the recital room, and even in a number of classrooms.”
“Different Upstate universities share hosting All-State Orchestra, this was Clemson’s third time serving in that capacity,” added Levin. “To have Clemson’s Brooks Center associated with these new memories was quite an honor.”
