Riley Peterson '20
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In April of 2017, the Carthage Philharmonic and local string students performed with Simply Three, a professional strings trio. This marked the first time local string students collaborated with a professional artist in a performance at Carthage College. One of the students who participated in the event was Riley Peterson ’20. At that time, Riley was in high school at Tremper, and now, she is at Carthage about to perform with two-time Grammy Award Winner Mads Tolling and the Mads Men. I was lucky enough to speak with Riley about the upcoming performance and her unique journey at Carthage.

In a couple of days, you will be performing with two-time Grammy Award Winner Mads Tolling. How does that feel? What are your expectations?

It’s really exciting! It is always great to have the chance to work with somebody who is such an expert in their field. He is an award winner! I think Mads will be able to give us a new perspective on different types of music. The Philharmonic works with a lot of classical pieces, and some of the pieces Mads has brought us are jazz. I expect that he will be able to change the way that we sound in a short period of time, because he is good at teaching groups with no jazz background how to play that way. 

What was it like to perform in high school with Simply Three and then perform with Project Trio as a college student?

In high school, working with the visiting groups was a bit overwhelming. There was a lot going on and you are new to the facility, the group you are playing with, and you are new to the guest artist. At the same time, it was super rewarding because I made connections with people in the Carthage Philharmonic and I got to learn alongside them. Now, as a college student, I have gotten the chance to welcome more people into our facility. It is great because I am comfortable in the setting, so I can make others feel the same way.

How have your experiences changed from high school to now?

In high school, we spent a lot more time learning the music than we do in college. It was a much more extended experience in high school, and in college, I have gotten to have a more concentrated experience. That said, we also spend a little bit more time with the guest artists which is amazing. In college, I have appreciated the experience more because I have a better understanding of different musical styles and getting to learn the same piece from multiple instructors. 

Did your performance experiences in high school make you want to come to Carthage?

Yes, absolutely! I met people here, I got to know the Philharmonic and Dr. Kawakami. The community aspect has always been the most important part of being in an orchestra, so having the opportunity to get some roots into this community made me want to come to Carthage.

What can you tell potential students who may want to come to Carthage?

I would want to tell them that the music program and the music department here is a family. Everyone takes care of, and looks after, one another, no matter what level you are as a musician, or your level of commitment to music. I am not a music major or minor, but I still feel like the music department appreciates me for what I can contribute and believes that my contributions are important.

 

Mads Tolling and the Mads Men

Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the A. F. Siebert Chapel

Tickets are free, but required for all ages.  Get tickets 24/7 www.carthage.edu/tickets

For the conclusion of the concert, Mads Tolling will invite Carthage Philharmonic and string students from local schools including Bullen Middle School, Bradford High School, Lakeshore Youth Orchestras, and Tremper High School onstage for a collaboration audiences and young performers won’t soon forget.