Second semester music industry, music therapy and performance seniors have a lot to do before graduation, including their senior recital.

One such student is Daniel Ricardo Leon Rodriguez, composition senior, who had his French horn recital Thursday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Roussel Hall. As a composition major, this recital was not actually a requirement for Rodriguez, but he decided to use this opportunity as practice for his future career.

With three hours of practice a day, and five hours of practice the week before the recital, Rodriguez had been preparing all semester for this one event.

“I would like to perform in a symphony or orchestra for my short term goal,” Rodriguez said after his performance. “For my long term goal I would like to be a conductor.”

Rodriguez chose pieces from the Romantic Period to perform for his recital, by Robert Schumann, Franz Strauss and Johannes Brahms because it is his favorite musical period, although he does enjoy all of them.

“Strauss is famous for long lines of music in his compositions,” Roberto Pasquariello, performance senior, said of the famous composer who Rodriguez studied.

The first half of the recital consisted of Rodriguez on the horn and Jack Gardner, his instructor, on piano. After intermission, Rodriguez was accompanied by special guests Amy Thiaville on violin and Adam Mayon, performance sophomore, on piano.

“He’s one of my best friends. I love coming to listen to music and supporting Daniel,” Daniel Pattillo, international business junior, said of the recital.

Because he has been practicing so much this semester for the senior recital, Rodriguez said he needed to study some other music to give his brain a break. He has been preparing for auditions all semester for graduate schools, so he has been practicing those pieces the schools chose for him as well.

Next semester, Rodriguez will continue studying at a graduate school most likely in Florida.

Julia Russler can be reached at       [email protected]