Topic Concert:
On Tuesday February 28th 2012 from 7.30pm – 9.30pm, the “USA Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band Winter Concert was held at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall in the University of South Alabama. The concert was conducted by Greg Gruner and Ward Miller (Department of Music University of South Alabama). I had the privilege of attending the concert and I was not disappointed one bit.
The program opened with the Symphony Band performing the exciting piece by Andrew Boysen, the “Kirkpatrick Fanfare.” There was no better way to open the concert than with such work full of bright color as well as definite Irish flair. The overly exciting opener was soon followed by the Symphony’s exhilarating performance of another masterpiece – the “American Hymnsong Suite” by Dawyne Miliburn. The magic of the Symphony Band did not stop there, they went forth to steal the hearts of the audience with their rendition of the hauntingly beautiful “Dusk” by the famed Steven Bryant.
The curtain dropper for the Symphony Band in the concert was the performance of John Mackey’s dark and exotic “Xerxes” concert march (Department of Music University of South Alabama). This last performance was under the able guidance of guest conductor Mr. Ishbah Cox, who is the Assistant Director of Bands at Purdue University. This received a standing ovation from capacity audience, marking the end of an mouthwatering first session of the concert. To this end there was no doubt that the Symphony Band had come of age were indeed good at what they do. This was evident from the sheds of happy tears that rolled freely from many of the passionate lovers of the music in the auditorium. Personally, I could not help but give a spirited round of applause as well as screams in praise of the band.
The second part of the program begun with a performance by the USA Wind Ensemble led by Dr. Gruner, which performed Ron Nelson’s exultant “Morning Alleluias for the Winter Solstice.” however, the moment of highlight in the concert was the performance by the one and only Dr. Andra Bohnet, a USA Professor of Flute. She stole the show pants down with her electrifying rendition of “Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble” composed by Charles Rochester (Department of Music University of South Alabama). Admittedly, I am yet to witness another proficient flute player like Dr. Bohnet. It was an honor to see her grace the stage at the USA Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band Winter Concert that evening.
The performance by Andra Bohnet was then succeeded by the return of Mr. Ishbah Cox to the stage, this time conducting John Barnes Chance’s emotional “Elegy.” A performance of the Slocumb’s settting of the barogue “Toccata (Frescobaldi)” from the Wind Ensemble then entertained all present (Department of Music University of South Alabama).
The audience was finally given a deserving final treat in the form of the Ensemble’s moving wild ride execution of Adam Gorb’s challenging yet exciting “Awayday.” Emotions and sensations ran high at the end of the performance and concert as none desired it to come to an end .
In summary, my experience at the concert was worth every cent and minute of time that spent there. As such I look forward to the forthcoming Symphony Spring Concert on May 1.
Reference:
Department of Music University of South Alabama. USA Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band Winter Concert February 28, 2012. Retrieved on March 6th, 2012 from: http://www.southalabama.edu/music/
