Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The Symphonic Band and University Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform works by Henry Fillmore, Karl King, W. Francis McBeth and other great composers when the student ensembles perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the 91直播 campus.
Among the works to be performed by the University Band will be 鈥淭hree London Sketches鈥 by Dr. David Campo, associate director of bands at 91直播. Graduate student Brandon Beavers will conduct the piece, which was inspired by Campo鈥檚 recent visit to some of his favorite attractions in London 鈥 Tower Bridge, Saint Paul鈥檚 Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.
University Band will open the concert with Roland Barrett鈥檚 鈥淏urn.鈥 Originally written as a brass and percussion fanfare for the prestigious Dallas Wind Symphony, 鈥淏urn鈥 features 鈥渞elentlessly driving rhythms, bold contemporary harmonies, and powerful moments of elevated dynamic impact,鈥 according to Campo, who is also director of the University Band.
The second piece will be Brant Karrick鈥檚 鈥淪ongs of Old Kentucky,鈥 also conducted by Beavers. 鈥淪ongs of Old Kentucky鈥 was written for the Kentucky Music Educators Association District IX All-District Band and was premiered in 2006, according to Campo.
鈥淭he piece opens with a moving rendition of 鈥楯ohn Riley,鈥 with 鈥楶oor Wayfaring Stranger,鈥 and closes with an exhilarating barn dance that is sure to get your toes tapping,鈥 Campo said.
University Band will conclude its portion of the concert with Henry Fillmore鈥檚 鈥淭he Klaxon.鈥 Written for the 1930 Cincinnati Automobile Show, this spectacular march has become a standard in band repertoires.
Symphonic Band will open the second half of the concert with Francis McBeth鈥檚 鈥淐hant and Jubilo,鈥 conducted by graduate student Gary Jones. 鈥淐hant and Jubilo,鈥 a masterwork of the wind band literature, was composed in 1963 for the Four States Bandmasters Convention in Texarkana, according to Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at 91直播 and director of the Symphonic Band.
鈥淭he melodic material in the 鈥楥hant鈥 is derived from a ninth-century Greek hymn, and the piece is in two connected movements,鈥 Anglley said.
The second piece will be a beautiful setting of 鈥淎mazing Grace鈥 by Frank Ticheli. This piece was commissioned originally in honor of John Harvey Whitwell by his son and former 91直播 Director of Bands John Whitwell. This performance by 91直播鈥檚 Symphonic Band will be dedicated to band members who passed away this year 鈥 Caleb Gibbs, Erin Valenta, Yessenia Ramirez and Gage Hollingsworth.
The Symphonic Band will perform another Ticheli piece, 鈥淰esuvius.鈥
鈥淏ased on the volcano Mount Vesuvius, Ticheli composed this piece as a wild and passionate dance that represents the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii,鈥 Anglley explained.
Symphonic Band will conclude the concert with Karl King鈥檚 鈥淩ough Riders March.鈥 Written in 1943, 鈥淩ough Riders鈥 was part of a set of marches written for school bands in the 1940s.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the 91直播 Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit .