APPLETON, WIS. — The Lawrence Academy of Music Honors Band and Wind Ensemble premier Academy Festival March, a work composed by Lawrence Academy of Music instructor Jon Meyer, at their spring concert. The concert takes place at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18 in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. Tickets are $6, and go on sale Monday, March 5 at the Lawrence University Box Office or by phone at 920-832-6749.
The Honors Band, conducted by Meyer, performs Suite from Bohemia by Vaclav Nelhybel, a lovely folk tune suite by the Czech composer who was very popular in the 1960-70s, but is rarely heard today; The Little Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin and arranged by Frank Campbell-Watson, who did the standard symphonic arrangements of Gershwin; and one of the standard band transcriptions of Bach that is rarely heard today, Prelude and Fugue in G Minor, arranged by R. Moehlmann.
The Wind Ensemble’s portion of the program includes the seafaring theme Of Sailors and Whales by W. Francis-McBeth, a five-movement work based on five scenes from Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” Songs to be performed include “The Rakes of Mallow,” a fun Irish jig that begins fast and gets faster throughout; “Danza Final,” from the ballet suite Estancia, a very bright, lively, and energetic work that features the dance, Malambo; and Samuel Ward’s “America the Beautiful,” arranged by Carman Dragon.
The Honors Band and Wind Ensemble come together for the final piece, Academy Festival March, composed by Meyer, for the Honors Band and Wind Ensemble to perform together.
The Honors Band provides experience with advanced music for middle school band students. It is open by audition to seventh, eighth, and ninth grade band students from the Fox Valley area. The band is conducted by Meyer, who also conducts the New Horizons Band and coordinates the Academy’s residential summer Music Camp.
The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Michael J. Ross, who is also director of bands at Appleton West High School, and was recently appointed conductor of the Green Bay Symphony Youth Orchestra. The ensemble provides advanced high school band students with opportunities to become acquainted with music specifically composed and arranged for the soloistic possibilities of wind ensembles. It is open by audition to talented wind, brass, and percussion players in grades 9-12 from throughout Northeastern Wisconsin.
The Honors Band and Wind Ensemble will hold auditions for the 2007-08 season on April 29. For more information, call the Academy at 920-993-6278.
