Musicians Perform with Symphony Members

Maranatha’s musical excellence was on full display at the recent Chamber Strings Concert. Directed by Melody Steinbart, this concert featured many talented musicians, including Paul Hauer and Adrien Zitoun of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Steinbart’s goal for this concert was to “allow students to perform with professionals which motivated and challenged MBU students to raise their level of playing.” Alumni musicians Justine Ostrander and Joseph Steinbart also performed in this side-by-side concert. “Both of these alumni,” comments Melody Steinbart, “have continued to advance and mature their own playing through advanced study, giving yet another level to the learning experience as well as motivation to see what former MBU students are doing with their playing.”

 

Featuring selections like Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Nielson’s Little Suite for strings, the Chamber Strings Ensemble exhibited the many hours of practice that it takes to perfect these well-known masterpieces. Playing alongside talented players like Hauer and Zitoun, members of the ensemble commented on the tremendous opportunity they were afforded. Violist Samuel Folkman speaks of his experience saying, “The opportunity to play with professionals like Mr. Hauer and Mr. Zitoun is an encouraging experience that motivates me to work hard toward my goals and future career.”

 

About the Guest Performers

Paul Hauer

Paul Hauer joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2016. Before moving to Milwaukee, Mr. Hauer was Principal Second Violin of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and played regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony and Louisville Orchestra. Recently, Mr. Hauer started serving as Artist in Residence at Barcel Suzuki String Academy. He completed his Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory, graduating from the studio of David Bowlin. Mr. Hauer began working with Addison Teng in 2009 and studied with him for three summers at the Montecito International Music Festival. He received his Master of Music degree from the Jacobs School of Music.

 

Adrien Zitoun

Cellist Adrien Zitoun joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2001. He also performs with Present Music and the Philomusica String Quartet, which has residency at the Wisconsin Lutheran College. Mr. Zitoun teaches at the Wisconsin Lutheran College, coaches the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestras, and has a handful of dedicated private students. Mr. Zitoun co-authored Play Cello Today! with his wife in 2016. He also received the 2017 CIVIC MUSIC Certificate of Excellence for Studio Music. In his native land of France, Mr. Zitoun studied cello at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Lyon with Yvan Chiffoleau. In the United States, Mr. Zitoun earned his Artist Diploma and a Master of Music from Indiana University.

 

Justine Ostrander

Justine Ostrander graduated from Maranatha in 2019 with a BA in Music concentrating on String Pedagogy and Violin Performance. While at MBU, Ostrander served as concertmaster in the MBU Symphony Orchestra. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

 

Joseph Steinbart

Joseph Steinbart is a 2018 graduate of Maranatha Baptist University. He also holds a MM in Viola Performance and String Pedagogy from the University of Louisville. An accomplished violist and violinist, Steinbart also is a co-owner of Lake Country Strings.

 

Below are selections featured in the Chamber Strings Concert. Photos from the event are also available.  

 

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048, I. Allegro, Bach

 

Fantasia on Wayfaring Stranger, Arr. Pinner