U of A Bands host fall season closing concert

U of A Bands will present the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony in the second concert of Fall 2022 at the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center on Monday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The wind symphony will perform four pieces. Percy Grainger’s “Spoon River”, conducted by graduate assistant Jason Reznicek, is a concert band arrangement of an American folk fiddle tune. John Mackey’s “Sheltering Sky”, conducted by Chase Jones, vice leader of the bands, evokes the spirit of folk music, although the music was originally written by Mackey.

Bela Bartok’s “Romanian Folk Songs”, conducted by Jeffrey Summers, Associate Director of Bands, showcases the beauty of Eastern European folk songs. Jones then conducts the finale of the wind symphony with the Mediterranean-inspired piece “Opa!”. by Julie Giroux.

Following the wind symphony, the wind ensemble opens its performance with “Early Light” by Caroline Bremer, conducted by Jones.

“Bremer’s piece is based on her experiences growing up, going to baseball games and listening to the national anthem beforehand. So you hear a lot of quotes from the anthem throughout the piece,” Jones said.

Following the patriotic spirit, the wind ensemble will perform Darius Milhaud’s “Suite Francaise” conducted by Summers.

“This piece is a collection of French folk songs commemorating the French and American soldiers who fought in World War II,” Summers said. “Each movement is based on a different part of France.”

Originally written as a string quartet, the wind ensemble will then perform Zhou Tian’s “Nocturne,” transcribed for band by David Thornton. “‘Nocturne’ was inspired by the cold and loneliness of winter,” Summers said.

The final performance of the evening will be Joan Tower’s Fascinating Ribbons. The U of A was part of a consortium that commissioned this piece from Tower in 2001.

Admission to the performances is free, but a ticket is required. Tickets can be purchased through the Faulkner Performing Arts Center.