December 7, 2010
MACOMB, IL – - Western Illinois University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall will be the site of a series of musical performances Dec. 7-11.
The performances will include concerts from the WIU Concert Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and the Steel Band.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
WIU Concert Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., open free to the public. Associate Professor Matt Thomas and Graduate Assistant Conductor Cameron Rush will conduct the WIU Concert Band performing “Music for A Festival: No. 2 Overture” by Gordon Jacob; “Vesuvius” by Frank Ticheli; “Contre Qui, Rose” by Morten Lauridsen; “Scenes from the Louvre” by Norman Dello Joio; “Rhosymedre” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and “The Black Horse Troop” by John Philip Sousa.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
WIU Jazz Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., open free to the public. The WIU Jazz Band, directed by Assistant Professor Michael Stryker, with guest artist John Mindeman, trombone, will perform “I Could Write A Book” by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers; “Calypsoscope” by Matt Harris; “Angel Eyes” by Earl Brent and Matt Dennis; “Fables of Faubus” by Charles Mingus; “Con Alma” by Dizzy Gillespie; “Shout Me Out” by John Clayton; “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” by Irving Berlin; and “Back of the Bus” by John LaBarbera.
Thursday, Dec. 9
WIU Wind Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., open free to the public. Conductor and Director of Bands Mike Fansler, along with the WIU Wind Ensemble comprised of Western’s premier brass, woodwind and percussion students, will perform composer Johan de Meij’s Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings,” with narration provided by Musical Theatre Professor Matt Bean. The symphony takes the listener on a 50-minute adventure, musically depicting many of J.R.R. Tolkien’s characters from his novel, “Lord of the Rings.”
Friday, Dec. 10
WIU Symphony Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m., open free to the public. Conductor Richard Hughey will lead the Symphony Orchestra in presenting “Ruckert Lieder” by Gustav Mahler; “L’Arlesienne: Suites 1 and 2″ by Georges Bizet; and “Glaciers for Symphony Orchestra” by WIU School of Music Professor James Romig.
Saturday, Dec. 11
WIU Steel Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., open free to the public. Conductor Rick Kurasz will lead the WIU Steel Band as they perform “Sarah,” “Birthday Party” and “Hard Times” by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe; “Cha Cha Sandwich” by Phil Hawkins; “Both of Them” by Slinger; “Mighty Sparrow” by Francisco; “Oyelo Que Te Conviene” by Eddie Palmieri; “To Be” by Barbara Higbee; “My Two Cents” by Gary Gibson; “Heartland” by Tom Miller; and “Since You’ve Gone,” “Pan on the Move,” and “Let Your Feelings Show” by Ray Holman.
For more information, contact the WIU School of Music at (309) 298-1544 or email music@wiu.edu.
Copy By: Jared Dye
