Gannon University’s Concert Band will perform its final performance of the semester – – its Spring Concert – – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Yehl Ballroom of the Waldron Campus Center.
Admission for the Spring Concert is free for the Gannon community and the public, including an intermission and a reception to follow.
Dana Bennett, conductor of Gannon’s Concert Band, said the concert will open with a piece called “Sea Songs” by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Bennett said the song is a fun, British march that will be upbeat and lively toward the audience.
Another piece that will be heard is “O Magnum Mysterium,” originally by Morten Lauridsen, but transcribed by H. Robert Reynolds, Bennett said. “O Magnum Mysterium” is a very dramatic piece, but fits well into the scheme of the band’s themed concert, Bennett said.
During the middle of the concert, another upbeat and British musical will be played called “The Lost Lady Found” by Percy Aldridge Grainger. The fun piece was originally from a large piece called “Lincolnshire Posy,” which is supposed to be one of the greatest pieces of band literature, Bennett said.
Since “The Lost Lady Found” came from a large piece, Michael Sweeney adapted the music and formed an easier version, the version, which will be heard Wednesday, Bennett said.
Emily Bartkowski, a junior occupational therapy major, said “The Lost Lady Found” is one of her favorite pieces. “I like how there is a lot of repetition, but at the same time there is a change throughout the piece,” she said.
Gannon’s Concert Band will play “The Liberty Bell,” a song that may be recognizable to some audience members. Bennett said this very American, upbeat, lively song is what you hear on the Fourth of July by John Philip Sousa.
Bennett said another fun piece that the band poked around with was “Rollo Takes a Walk,” by David Maslanka. “When it comes to band literature, a lot of the times band music is very repetitive,” she said. “It has certain things that come up every once in a while such as flying whistles.”
Bennett said the composer decided to write this piece to make fun of all band literature styles. The band will introduce a variety of things within the piece including what people are going to hear and what people will have to say, which will make this upbeat song a humorous one, Bennett said.
The final piece that will be heard at the Spring Concert will be “The Maelstrom,” by Robert W. Smith. Bennett said the reason why they chose to close the concert with this particular piece is because “The Maelstrom” is intense. “Audience members will hear loud and fast sections throughout the performance,” she said. “The reason being is it is supposed to represent a storm.”
Bennett said this Spring Concert will be a light–hearted and enjoyable evening of music. “People will be able to tap their feet,” she said. Bennett said even though there isn’t a lot of music, it’s fun and upbeat, although there is a piece that is serious. “It’s always good to have a balance.”
