Kiltie Wind Ensemble Performs Spring Concert
The Alma College Kiltie Wind Ensemble’s annual spring concert
features a variety of music everyone will enjoy, according to David
Zerbe, director of the ensemble.
“Some of the music is very deep emotionally, and some is more whimsical,” says Zerbe.
The ensemble will perform traditional and contemporary band music by
Leonard Bernstein, John Philips Sousa and others at 8 p.m. Saturday,
March 29th in the Remick Heritage Center at Alma College. Tickets are
$10 for adults and free for Alma College staff, students, and youth 18
and under. Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket
information.
The first half of the program features works by Bernstein, David
Maslanka and T.H. Rollinson. The second half also blends together new
and traditional compositions, with another piece by Maslanka as well as
works by John Barnes Chance and Sousa.
The program begins with Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide,” which
provides the famous opening to Bernstein’s 1956 operetta based on
Voltaire’s novella Candide.
Following this is “Heart Songs,” composed in 2001 by Maslanka. Drawing
on the image of the tree of life being “watered” by the blood of the
heart, this piece is deeply evocative, reflective and rich, says Zerbe.
Concluding the first half is Rollinson’s 1898 composition “Delecta
Fantasia” for clarinet, which features clarinet soloist Patrick DeWitt.
The second half of the program opens with “Mother Earth,” a fanfare
composed by Maslanka in 2006, followed by “Incantation and Dance,
“written by Chance in 1960. Chance’s first composition for band, this
piece combines a haunting first section, the “incantation,” with a wild
second section, the “dance,” and builds to a dramatic, stunning
conclusion.
Ending the concert is Sousa’s “The Gallant Seventh.” Composed in 1922,
this popular march honors the 7th Regiment of the New York National
Guard for its efforts during World War I.
The Kiltie Wind Ensemble comprises 68 student members from diverse
academic majors. This is the ensemble’s final concert of the 2007-2008
season.
Posted: Mon, March 24th, 2008 at 8:57AM

