From lightning storms to “Star Wars,” the Brevard College Wind Ensemble’s second concert of the season has quite a journey in store for its audience on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
The concert takes place in The Porter Center for Performing Arts’ Scott Concert Hall and is free and open to the public.
The concert will feature the music of French military band composer Adolphe Sellenick, the eminent Hungarian folk song collector and composer Béla Bartók, the ballet music of American composer Aaron Copland, and the always exciting and muscular music of young American composer John Mackey.
“The audience will be treated to another diverse program featuring unique American and Romanian folk songs, iconic American film music, and the robust and exuberant voice of a young and promising contemporary American composer,” said Eric Peterson, assistant professor of music and director of bands at Brevard.
“Marche Indienne,” composed by Sellenick for the French Republican Guard Band, was frequently programmed by Sousa and the Sousa Band. Bartók’s “Jocuri Poporale Romanesti” is a wonderful collection of Transylvanian folk songs originally composed for piano. Mackey’s “Lightning Field” features special effects created by the percussion section and piano soloist. The inclusion of percussive thunder tubes will certainly create the sometimes-overwhelming sounds nature can unleash during a violent thunderstorm.
The music of John Williams has excited generations of “Star Wars” fans. The ensemble will perform selections from “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones,” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” The concert will close with the Dean of American Composers’ famous folk melodies of “Hoe Down” from the Rodeo ballet.
The Brevard College Wind Ensemble is comprised of students representing several departments across campus in addition to talented and experienced members of the Brevard Community Band and Upstate Winds community wind ensemble.