REXBURG—Natalie Blackburn will be featured as a violinist in the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra Chamber Ensembles. The free concert will be held this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Romance Theater.
Blackburn has played music her whole life. At 5 years old she started playing the piano. After experiencing an orchestra concert, she wanted to be a part of it. She learned the viola and played it all the way through college. Blackburn also picked up the violin in high school and college.
Blackburn taught private lessons for the last 25 years after graduating from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Music.
Blackburn has been a long-time member of the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra, also known as RTO, since she was 16 years old. RTO is an all-volunteer orchestra. They work on rhythms and notes when rehearsing the music.
“There's no motivation other than the love of music. And it's surprising to me, not surprising, but unique to have,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn believes it is unique to have so many professional musicians in a small town who are willing to volunteer their time for music.
This orchestra concert will highlight different groupings of instruments. The brass, woodwinds and strings will all have their own songs. Blackburn’s solo will feature the violin.
“It’s kind of a really good time to be able to hear all the different voices and the different instruments. And it really breaks it up into a lot of unique-type songs,” Blackburn said.
The solo feature is a piece by composer Eric Ewazen called “Violin Concerto.” Blackburn discovered it years ago. The violinist decided to learn it on her own.
“This concerto means a lot to me because it's always been really therapeutic and just there's moments that are really beautiful,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn feels it is rewarding to put something out there that the community can feel.
“I don't think anyone regrets having a human experience like live music,” Blackburn said.
The Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra Chamber Ensembles is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Romance Theater. The community is invited to attend the free concert.