As yet another school year winds down for the ISU Symphony Orchestra, faculty and students in the group view this year as one of the most successful ever.

“All the way around, it was an outstanding year,” says Mark Laycock, assistant professor of music and director of orchestral activities.

“The ISU Symphony started the year with a collaboration with composer Martin Hamlisch,” Laycock says. Hamlisch’s composition credits include the soundtrack to such films as “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “The Sting,” and theatrical productions including “The Goodbye Girl” and “A Chorus Line.”

“The chance to back him up was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Laycock says.

Orchestra members cite this year’s Children’s Concert, the President’s Concert and the benefit concert for the victims of Sept. 11 as highlights of the year.

“The Children’s Concert was cool,” says Laura Balza, french horn player and senior in industrial engineering. “We got to perform some very exciting music for kids, and it was fun watching them watch us.”

The President’s Concert was in Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis as part of the symphony’s spring tour in March. President Gregory Geoffroy was in attendance as the orchestra shared the stage with internationally acclaimed bass/baritone Simon Estes, the music department’s artist-in-residence.

“It’s always a treat to play with Simon Estes,” says David Behroozi, violinist and senior in computer science. “The opportunity to work with Mr. Estes at such a renowned venue was totally sweet. The acoustics were incredible, and the concert was definitely the high point of our tour.”

Balza agrees. “Orchestra Hall was a dream come true,” she says. “It’s just amazing to play in a concert hall with such great acoustics.”

In November, the orchestra held an benefit concert featuring works by American composers and dedicated the performance to the victims of the terrorist attacks.

The idea for the benefit came from bassoonist Jennifer Speer, Behroozi says.

“The proceeds of the concert were donated to the American Red Cross,” Behroozi says. “As musicians, we all wanted to have some part in the healing process, and we performed pieces ranging from emotional to patriotic,” he says.

As graduating seniors, Behroozi and Balza will both leave with fond memories of the ISU Symphony Orchestra, they say.

“We played some great pieces and had a great time,” Behroozi says. “Everyone tried their hardest, and Mr. Laycock is really hilarious. He really spiced up rehearsals. I would just like to thank everyone for making it such a great experience.”

“The orchestra is bigger than it ever has been, and it just gets better every year,” Balza says. “There really is nothing like the orchestra. You can just relax and have fun.”