Grace Wind Ensemble Presents Spring Concert Friday
Posted
Staff Report-
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College Community Wind Ensemble, with conductor Martin Becker, will present its spring concert "Fantasy of Flight" Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake.
The program pays tribute to the heros of aviation.
The concert begins with the most popular of Richard Strauss's tone poems, "Thus Spake Zarathustra". The work has been part of the classical repertoire since its introduction in 1896. The opening fanfare, "Sunrise", has become known to the general public due to its use in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey".
Continuing with the theme, the band will perform Alfred Reed's "Seventh Suite for Band". "Seventh Suite for Band" was composed for the opening of an airport in 2003, and is dedicated to a century of flight.
Victor Lopez always comes up with exciting musical titles to go with his compositions. "Splendor on the Wing" was written to recognize not only the beauty of birds, but the 48 million birdwatchers in the United States alone. One in six U.S. citizens are bird watchers.
The concert's theme, "Fantasy of Flight" comes from Robert W. Smith's tribute to John Williams and his unparalleled contributions to his many outstanding film scores.
In a career spanning seven decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures. From the bicycle chase across the moonlit sky in "E.T. (The Extra-Terrestrial)" to the fanciful flight of Hedwig in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", Williams' magical scores have captured the fantasy of flight in sound for all to experience.
From the opening fly-over of the ship in "Star Wars®" to the incredible intensity of "Duel of the Fates" in "Star Wars®: Episode I", audience members young and old will enjoy this medley.
Next on the program, "As Spirit Take Flight" is a salute to the Wright Brothers' inventiveness.
This overture was written for the Salt Lake City Symphonic Winds. Images of flight are suggested through the composer's use of rhythm and tempo. Images of the Wright Brothers' spirit and inventiveness can be heard in this new work for band.
For the final selection, Becker has chosen to salute the airmen of the United States. "The Strategic Air Command march" was written at the request of the U.S. Strategic Air Command staff through Capt. Herman Vincent, commander of SAC Bands.
The march was premiered at the SAC Band's annual concert in Omaha, Neb., July 14, 1963, conducted by the composer, Clifton Williams. Near the end of the march the audience may detect an imitation of sonic booms, a trademark of the Strategic Air Command.The Grace College Community Wind Ensemble consists of 60 musicians and rehearses weekly at Grace College. Becker has been conducting the group for the past nine years. The musicians in the group are students attending Grace College, several area high school students, community musicians, professional musicians and 24 active or retired band directors.
The concert is free, doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
