Wind Orchestra Concert Features 'Lord of the Rings'

Utah State University’s Wind Orchestra presents “Lord of the Rings” as its annual fall concert Friday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Concert Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU Logan campus.

“The concert features a rare performance of ‘Symphony No. 1 ‘Lord of the Rings,” said Thomas P. Rohrer, director of the USU Wind Orchestra and music professor in the Caine College of the Arts. “Written by Dutch composer Johan De Meij 25 years ago, the work predates the more recent film trilogy by more than a decade. The vision of making a music-exclusive impression of the literary work was unique, and the musical craft has made the piece one of the most significant symphonies for wind band in the past 30 years.”

The five movements include “Gandalf,” “Lothlorien,” “Gollum,” “Journey in the Dark” and “Hobbits,” said Rohrer.

“The musical impressions bring life to specific characters in the first, third and fifth movements, while events and places are presented in two and four,” said Rohrer.

The first half of the concert includes Puszta: Four Gypsy Dances by Jan Van Der Roost, Concert Prelude by Ralph Hultgren and High Adventure by Randol Bass.

“The music for this program is accessible for all audiences,” said Rohrer. “The musical depth peaks the interest of the most sophisticated listeners as well.”

The Wind Orchestra, the flagship ensemble of the USU Bands, is a 50-member ensemble of wind and percussion students. The ensemble has earned an outstanding reputation in the region by performing at the College Band Directors National Association as well as the Utah Music Educators Convention. On an international level, the group is responsible for the American premieres of several works. The Wind orchestra plays the finest in contemporary wind and percussion music as well as time-tested standards from the band repertoire. Entrance to the ensemble is gained by audition at the outset of each semester.

Upcoming performances for the Wind Orchestra include a performance with the Symphonic Band and Chamber Ensembles on Nov. 24 and the Tri-State Band Symposium Sampler and Finale concerts on Dec. 5 and 6.

The Wind Orchestra concert is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 797-3004 or see the Caine College’s Production Services website.

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Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu

Writer: Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whitney.schulte@usu.edu