Students in the Honors College course HC 2010 Sebastian: A Course on Bach wrapped up their semester not with a traditional exam, but with a trip to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The final, held on a spring evening downtown, allowed students to experience not only Bach’s work live, but multiple different composers in one of the state’s most acclaimed concert halls. For many, it was their first time seeing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) perform live.
“I’ve studied Bach’s music in class, listened to it online and written about it,” freshman Miscura Bari said. “But being in that space, hearing the orchestra play in real-time, completely changed the way I experienced the music. It felt alive in a way I didn’t expect and made me appreciate the class more.”
The course, led by Dr. Randall Engle, blends music theory, history and cultural context to explore not only Johann Sebastian Bach’s lasting impact, but other musicians as well, on classical music. Throughout the semester, students analyzed compositions such as “The Well-Tempered Clavier” and “St. Matthew Passion.” The trip to the DSO was planned as a capstone to synthesize everything they’d learned.
“Bach isn’t just a historical figure we study, he’s a living influence in the music world,” Engle said. “The DSO performance allowed students to witness that legacy in action. They were able to apply their knowledge in a setting far beyond the classroom and I am so happy to have been able to bring them to experience it.”
Before attending the performance, students prepared by researching the selected repertoire and learning about the DSO’s history and role in Detroit’s arts scene. Many noted the emotional and technical complexity of the pieces played that night, including Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.” The honors course encouraged students to think critically about music not just as sound, but as storytelling.
“I was struck by how the orchestra communicated without words,” Bari said. “Watching the conductor and musicians move together brought out the emotion in Bach’s music in a way I hadn’t noticed before. It made me appreciate the artistry involved even more. I wish I could take this class again; it was so fun.”
The DSO visit was also a way to connect students with the wider community and promote arts engagement outside of campus. Some students stayed after the concert to speak with musicians and ask questions about the program. The experience served as both a cultural outing and a practical lesson in applied learning.
“We want students to think of learning as something that goes beyond textbooks and lectures,” Engle said. “When they can attend events like this, it shows them how what they study has real meaning and relevance. It’s about fostering curiosity and lifelong appreciation, thankful for the DSO allowing us to listen.”
The class ended the semester not with a Scantron or essay, but with a shared moment of artistic immersion. For students of Sebastian: A Course on Bach, the evening at Orchestra Hall was a celebration of everything they had studied and felt over the past few months. In the echo of Bach’s timeless melodies, they found a fitting finale.
