Department of Fine Arts  
INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAMS
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program

 

Emperata Overture                                                                                     Claude Smith

           

Written in traditional ABA overture form, this energetic work opens with a brilliant brass fanfare followed by the introduction of the thematic material in the woodwinds.  The slower “B” section features several instruments in lyrical solo passages.  The return to the “A” section presents the main theme developed as a fugue followed by the simultaneous presentation of all thematic material (clever!) in the finale. 

 

Handel in the Strand                                                                         Percy Grainger

 

Grainger writes:  My title was originally “Clog Dance.”  But my dear friend William Gair Rathbone (to whom the piece is dedicated) suggested the title “Handel in the Strand” because the music seemed to reflect both Handel and English musical comedy (the “Strand”, a street in London, is the home of London musical comedy) as if jovial old Handel were careening down the Strand to the strains of modern English popular music.

 

The Wizard and the Leprechaun                                                               Craig Alberty

 

Commissioned by the Brookings, SD, High School Band, this work is loosely programmatic.  It is in three sections: Invitation, The Sorcery, and Romp.  The title and mood of each section are intended to suggest a vague story line with the listener supplying all details.

 

Ashokan Farewell                                                  Jay Unger, Arranged by Calvin Custer

 

Written as background music for Ken Burns’ acclaimed documentary The Civil War this short work is a model of simple beauty.

 

Emblem of Unity                                            J. J. Richards, Edited by James Swearingen

 

J. J. Richards (1878-1956) was born in Wales and settled with his family in Peterson, Kansas when he was four years old.  In 1945 he succeeded Herbert L. Clarke as conductor of the Long Beach, CA, Municipal Band.  At that time the band played eleven concerts each week with thirty-five professional players, a five-man staff and an annual budget in excess of $100,000.  This brilliant march is Richards’ most popular composition.

 

 

Masque                                                                                               W. Francis McBeth

 

Until the 1950’s, concert bands played primarily military music and orchestral transcriptions.  Masque (written in 1967) helped introduce audiences to substantial music written by professional composers specifically for band.  It revolves around a three-note motive developed through rhythmic manipulation.  Francis McBeth has led the musical development of the concert band for over forty years and remains active as a composer and conductor.

 

Star Puzzle March                                                                                  Soichi Konagaya

 

This novelty piece is based on a popular children’s song.  Soichi Konagaya is a well-known Japanese composer and works as a CBS/Sony studio arranger.

 

 

FMU Wind Symphony

 

Last spring the Wind Symphony moved to a Tuesday evening rehearsal time and we opened the group to community participation.  This is the second concert we have performed in our new format.  As you can see from the personnel roster, the membership is evenly divided between FMU students and community participants.  We are satisfied with the result of this change and are seeking additional participants.  If you play a band instrument or know someone looking for a place to play, please contact us.  Information can be found at web.fmarion.edu/finearts/windband.htm and Mr. Alberty can be reached at 661-1540 or calberty@fmarion.edu.

Wind Symphony personnel

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