PULLMAN, Wash. — A mix of traditional and cutting-edge band music is on the program for Washington State University’s Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony concert at 8 p.m., Nov. 29, in the Bryan Hall Auditorium.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of WSU faculty member David Turnbull, will perform traditional works including John Philip Sousa’s march, “Washington Post,” and Grainger’s “Irish Tune” from Country Derry. Senior music education major Aaron Prindle of Enumclaw will conduct “Washington Post,” while graduate student Shawn Brehm of Chillicothe, Ohio, will conduct “Irish Tune.”
“Vesuvius,” a work by contemporary composer Frank Ticheli, a faculty member at the University of Southern California, will round out the Symphonic Band’s performance. Ticheli’s composition is nearly 2 years old, although the themes for the bacchanal-like work based on ancient Rome have been in Ticheli’s sketchbook for a decade.
The Wind Symphony, under the direction of WSU faculty member Keating Johnson, will begin the second half of the concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Folk Song Suite.” The 1923 composition incorporates folk songs with a lyric style. Written for the Royal Military School, this piece was Williams first venture for band and it became a cornerstone of the repertoire for 20th century bands.
Brehm will lead the Wind Symphony in Ticheli’s “Cajun Folk Songs,” a recent composition with 18th century roots. Another contemporary piece by composer Adam Gorb, “Awayday,” which is based on Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide,” will be directed by Johnson to round out the program.
For more information, contact Johnson 509/335-3972.
