The West Virginia University Wind Symphony and the WVU Symphonic Band will present a joint concert at the Creative Arts Center, Monday, March 12.
The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Concert Theatre and will be conducted by John Hendricks, III, along with Assistant Director of Bands Christopher J. Nichter and graduate student conductor Johnny Leonard, III.
During the first half of the program, the WVU Symphonic Band will perform “Alleluia, Laudamus Te” by Alfred Reed, a glorious concert opener composed as a celebration hymn for winds, as well as “Two British Folk-Song Settings” by Percy Grainger, including “Irish Tune from County Derry” and “Shepherd’s Hey.” Both are much-admired folk-song settings for wind band, the first being a beautiful setting of the tune more commonly known as “O Danny Boy,” and the second a light dance of English Morris men.
The Symphonic Band will also perform “Canzona” by Peter Mennin, a piece that uses the band’s woodwinds and brasses to depict the Baroque “canzona” style of alternating rhythms and sonorities; and “British Eighth March” by Zo Elliott, a delightful march, composed in the traditional British style, that was dedicated to the Eighth Army after a triumphant sweep across North Africa in 1942.
During the second half of the program, the WVU Wind Symphony will perform “Armenian Dances” (Part I) by Alfred Reed, a symphonic rhapsody built upon five different Armenian folk songs, as well as “When Jesus Wept” (Prelude for Band) from “New England Triptych” by William Schuman, a sensitive treatment of William Billing’s sacred chorale, featuring students Johnny Leonard on trumpet and Joshua Baret on euphonium.
The ensemble will also perform “Prelude and Dance” by Paul Creston, which showcases the composer’s interest in rhythm, incorporating polymeters, polyrhythms, and even a touch of a tarantella; and “American Hymnsong Suite” by Dwayne Milburn, a new four-movement suite that incorporates popular hymns arranged in various styles ranging from jazz, to a light scherzo, to a rousing march.
For tickets, contact the Mountainlair or CAC Box Office at (304) 293-SHOW.
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CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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