At the rehearsal for the New Music Ensemble’s recent concert, Nyanza Williams witnessed firsthand her boyfriend Dalton Morris’ commitment to his craft.

“I got to sit in on a rehearsal yesterday and see what he’s going to be playing,” Williams said. “I think that it’s really intriguing.”

Williams is a sophomore majoring in physiology and minoring in music. What connected her to the ensemble beyond her boyfriend was her love for music.

“I’m really interested to see what composers are creating right now,” Williams said.

During the big day for Morris and the ensemble class, Williams was in attendance to support her boyfriend.

On Wednesday, April 19, professor Meghan Bennett’s New Music Ensemble class performed hand-picked contemporary instrumental music to a small-scale audience.

Guests heard six performances by the student-led group. Each performance varied on group size, incorporating different musical instruments such as guitar, cello, harp and vibraphone.

Morris said he and his classmates had been working on the musical pieces on and off throughout the spring semester.

“It’s really cool,” Morris told The Collegian. “Feeling the music in the moment and getting to learn the music.”

Many of the performances in the ensemble had diverse sounds, even contrasting paces from slow to upbeat tempos. Morris played the cello in four out of six performances in the ensemble.

While plucking the strings of his instrument, Morris’ goal was to convey emotion to the crowd.

Jayci Coon, a music composition major at Fresno State, attended because she enjoys these events. As a composer, she can listen to and nitpick the sounds of the ensembles. As a student learning about music theory, she knows how music is made and how sounds can evoke feelings.

She was excited to watch her classmates perform, particularly harpist Claire Heatherly.

“I’ve never heard her play,” said Coon.

Pianist Mauricio Rodriguez’s solo performance stole the show. On center stage with the lights shining on him, the piano performance major played Nocturne in D-Flat Major “un rêve” by Eric Christian.

The senior was locked in during his performance. Rodriguez shifted his hands on the keys smoothly, creating a soothing sound for audience members.

All eyes were on his set. After his performance, Rodriguez received an overwhelming round of applause.

The ensemble was held at the Fresno State Concert Hall. Students can enroll in the class for Fall 2023.

For more information about future concerts, visit here.