WINONA LAKE - The Grace College Wind Ensemble presents a lively program Thursday featuring the work of contemporary composers, according to the band's director Dr. James Chandler.

Sousa and Gershwin have been rescored and brought up to date, so to speak, and the middle arrangment of a suite yet to be published will sound throughout Rhodeheaver Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Now in its third year the group is composed of high school, college and community musicians who get together once a week throughout the fall and spring to present two free concerts.

"About half the band is new this year," Chandler said, "and includes all levels of talent."

He's especially happy to have several local and very talented high school students join the group.

Instrumentation of the wind ensemble includes all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. The size of the group is limited to about 40 players.

Thursday's lineup will give the audience an opportunity to hear contemporary composers. Robert W. Smith's "In A Gentle Rain" has members snapping their fingers during a sweet flute solo.

John Philip Sousa's "Sabre and Spurs," has been rescored, emphasizing Sousa's love of the calvary with the sound of horse hooves, enhancing a xylophone melody played by high school student Valerie Amstutz.

The program for Thursday includes:

"Ancient Air and Dance," Elliot Del Borgo (1938)

Elliot Del Borgo is a highly- respected composer of works for orchestra, chorus and chamber music, as well as band and wind ensemble. Del Borgo received his doctorate from State University of New York and has taught at the Crane School of Music and at the University of New York in Potsdam. He has composed more than 135 works for band and wind ensemble alone, which have received numerous awards.

"Ancient Air and Dance" is his most recent work for wind ensemble. The composition is a musical description of an ancient religious ritual.

The colors of the percussion section are used to provide the mood of the opening, while driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies are the basic elements of the dance. The work is typical of the composer's excellent compositional technique and reflects the aesthetics of the twentieth century.

"In a Gentle Rain," Robert W. Smith (1958)

Robert W. Smith is one of the newest, most popular and prolific composer-arrangers of band and wind ensemble music.

His compositions have been used in presidential welcoming ceremonies in Japan, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades in New York and major network television programs throughout the United States and Europe. Currently director of bands at Troy State University, Smith has written more than 300 musical publications.

"In a Gentle Rain" is actually the second movement to Smith's "Wilson Suite," a work as yet to be published in its entirety. the composition is unique in that it features woodwind soloists throughout, accompanied by unique effects imitating the sound of gentle rain.

"Rhythm of the Winds" Frank Erickson (1923-1996)

The name Frank Erickson has been prominently associated with quality band and wind ensemble compositions since he first began composing in 1951. With more than 150 arrangements and 100 original works representing 12 different publishers to his credit, his established style is respected by performers and often imitated.

"Rhythm of the Winds" displays a great interplay of rhythms and classic wind ensemble sound. The work is one of the most played concert and contest pieces of all time.

"Sabre and Spurs" John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)

It comes as no surprise to students of Sousa's life and works that he wrote three march classics for horses. In 1918 "The Black Horse Troup" and "Riders of the Flag" were yet to be composed, but "Sabre and Spurs" and its clippity-clop of horse hooves in the trio bears witness to Sousa's life-long love of horses.

"Gershwin!" George Gershwin (1898-1937), Arr. Warren Barker

With his brother as lyricist, George Gershwin wrote a plurality of successful musical comedies. Since that time Gershwin's music has continued to gain in popularity., Here are just a few of his more famous hits in a sparkling new arrangement by Warren Barker: "Fascinating Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "Somebody loves Me," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "I got Rhythm."

"Brazil" Ary Barroso, Arr. Peter Ippolito

From the pen of Peter Ippolito comes this exciting arrangement of an old standard. Featuring the percussion section, this arrangement is guaranteed to start a fire.

"Introduction and Caprice" Charles Carter (1926)

Charles Carter is known throughout the United States and many other countries as a composer of significant band and wind ensemble pieces. In 1996 he retired from the faculty at Florida State University after teaching composition and writing numerous musical works.

Carter's artistic concept of form is evident in this attractive and exciting piece. A well-blended mixture of legato and staccato styles, dynamic contrast and harmonic freshness all combine into a thrilling addition to any concert as a closer. "Introduction and Caprice" was dedicated to Donald McGinnis and the Ohio State University Concert Band. [[In-content Ad]]