The Illinois State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music invite all to the fifth Wind Symphony Concert of the 2018–2019 season at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $6 for students (with student ID) and seniors. The evening will be the culminating concert of the Wind Symphony’s return from a three-day outreach tour to high schools in Southern Illinois and the St. Louis area.
The concert will open with Michael Gandolfi’s Flourishes and Meditations on a Renaissance Theme, which was commissioned by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and is dedicated to them, their director, Col. Michael J. Colburn, and their assistant director, Maj. Jason K. Fettig.
Gandolfi combines a deep understanding of classical music with an equally rich background in rock, blues, and jazz to create his stunning compositions. His distinctively contemporary music distills all of his experiences to produce works that have been performed and recorded by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam, and many more. Flourishes and Meditations on a Renaissance Theme is a set of seven variations on an anonymous Renaissance melody that is simply titled Spagnoletta. It is derived from a popular melody titled Españoleta (Little Spanish Tune).
William Bolcom’s Song (for Band) was written in honor of the retirement of H. Robert Reynolds from the directorship of the University of Michigan bands as a present to Reynolds from the composer.
Following intermission, the concert will close with Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat. Composed at the request of Lt. Col. Hugh Curry, leader of the United States Army Band, the piece was premiered in Washington, D.C., on April, 5 1951, with Hindemith conducting. The three-movement symphony shows the composer’s great contrapuntal skill, and the organized logic of his thematic material. His melodies develop ever-expanding lines, and his skill in the organization and utilization of complex rhythmic variation adds spice and zest to the strength of his melodies.
Conducted by Anthony C. Marinello III, the Wind Symphony is the University’s premier wind band and features the finest wind and percussion musicians on campus. The Wind Symphony has a national and international reputation for exceptional artistic achievement.
For a schedule of upcoming band concerts and events, visit the College of Fine Arts events calendar and follow the Illinois State University Bands on Facebook.
For tickets or additional information, contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (309) 438-2535, or purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com. Performance parking is available for free in the School Street Parking Deck in spots 250 and above, 400 West Beaufort Street, Normal.
