The Bowling Green Philharmonia, the University’s premiere student orchestra ensemble, will end the semester on a high note.

The orchestra’s final performance of the 2009-2010 season, titled “Paris,” will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center.

“It’s a culmination of a whole year’s worth of hard work and practicing, and although it’s our last, it’s the most ambitious program of the year, involving some of the most challenging and demanding pieces,” said Orchestra Director Emily Freeman Brown.

Brown said the program will consist of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Claude Debussy’s “La Mer” (The Sea), pieces now regarded as two of the greatest orchestral works of the 20th century. “The Rite of Spring” is a ballet choreographed with complex, irregular rhythmic structures, and “La Mer” is an energetic French impressionistic work that captures the different aspects of the sea in three shifting movements.

Brown said the pieces, especially “The Rite of Spring,” are not typically performed by college-level orchestras because of their difficulty.

“This is the first time they will be performed here, so it’s a special opportunity for students and other audience members to hear this piece at BG,” Brown said. “It’s very rare, and it makes it even more special, because these pieces are much more normally played by professional orchestras.”

Trumpeteer Ashley Donaldson said “Paris” is most likely one of the biggest concerts Philharmonia has and will put on for quite some time. She has played in Philharmonia for two years and considers Sunday’s concert to be one of her most demanding but rewarding performances.

“‘The Rite of Spring’ is about as hard rock as the classical world can get,” Donaldson said. “Classical music isn’t as in the box as some people may think. They should definitely come and check it out.”

Graduate student Casey Mink is a violinist in Philharmonia and is also the orchestra librarian. He said both of the concert’s pieces are challenging in their own way.

“The most difficult aspect of ‘The Rite of Spring’ is the rhythmic element. It’s so unpredictable. You literally have to be on the edge of your seat while you’re playing it,” Mink said. “But I would say that ‘La Mer’ is personally a little more challenging because the strings have a little more role in that piece.”

Mink said he has been in Philharmonia for two years and enjoys the opportunities presented by “Paris” and all of his performances.

“It’s great to have all this exposure to a wide variety of music,” Mink said. “I feel a lot better equipped to go on to a professional setting once I graduate and move on to a career as a music performance major.”

Advance tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens, while tickets purchased at the door will be $13 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Brown said those interested in purchasing tickets can visit the center box office or call 419-372-8171.