USU Symphonic Band in Concert November 24
Utah State University’s Symphonic Band, under the direction of director of bands Thomas P. Rohrer, will perform its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s Logan campus.
“The fall concert is the semester high point for the Symphonic Band, a 70 member ensemble that includes music and non-music majors performing the finest in wind literature, both old and new,” said Rohrer. “The concert annually has featured small chamber ensembles as well. This fall’s concert includes music of somewhat local interest, beginning with Air for Winds by Melvin Shelton, director of bands emeritus at Boise State University. Also featured is Polly Oliver by Thomas Root, the overture to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Masque by W. Francis McBeth and Crazy Quilt by Cecil Karrick.”
Polly Oliver was composed in 1977 by a young Thomas Root, long time director of bands at Weber State University, said Rohrer. Based on the English folk song of the same name, the tune is one of the best known of a number of folk songs describing women disguising themselves as men to join the army to stay with their husbands or boyfriends.
“Composed originally in 1786, the Marriage of Figaro is arguably the most comedic of Mozart’s operas,” said Rohrer. “Also including political and psychological overtones, the opera depicts a conniving nobleman defeated in an ongoing battle of wits with his wife and servants.
“A fiery one-movement work, Masque, was commissioned by the University of Central Arkansas for the opening of its new arts auditorium in 1968.”
Concluding the program is Crazy Quilt, written by Cecil Karrick, director of bands at Bowling Green [Kentucky] High School for over two decades. The work was composed during his retirement years and used when he served as a substitute teacher in that community until well into his 80s. The USU performance is dedicated to the composer, who died in spring 2014 at the age of 95.
The USU Bands’ upcoming schedule includes the Tri-State Band Symposium Sampler and Finale Concerts on Dec. 5 and 6, respectively.
The Nov. 24 fall concert is free and open to the public. Call 435-797-3004 for more information.
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Writer: Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whitney.schulte@usu.edu
Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu
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