The Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony of Stephen F. Austin State University will present “Main Street USA” in a combined concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.
The concert is a collection of pieces by American composers, many of whom are from rural areas, according to David W. Campo, SFA associate director of bands.
Under the direction of Tamey Anglley, SFA assistant director of bands, the Symphonic Band will open the concert with “The Belle of Chicago” by the famous American march composer John Philip Sousa.
“Sousa spent much time in Chicago from 1892 to 1893,” Anglley said, “so he composed this march ‘as a tribute to its ladies.’”
The Symphonic Band will also perform Aaron Copland’s “Down a Country Lane,” conducted by graduate student Jarred Taylor. Originally composed for piano, “Down a Country Lane” was commissioned by Life Magazine for young pianists to have access to quality music by a major composer, according to Anglley. Merlin Patterson completed the band arrangement in 1988.
The Symphonic Band will end its half of the program with “Third Suite” by American composer Robert Jager. The multi-movement work was composed in 1965 and is dedicated to Leo Imperial and his Granby High School Band of Norfolk, Va.
The Wind Symphony, under Campo’s direction, will begin its portion of the concert with H. Owen Reed’s classic “Missouri Shindig,” the composer’s impression of a Missouri hoedown, according to Campo.
“‘Missouri Shindig’ is based on the old square dance tune ‘Give the Fiddler a Dram,’” Campo said, “and like a Missouri hoedown, begins slowly and develops into a full-blown party.”
The Wind Symphony will perform William Grant Still’s “Fold Suite,” which “captures the simplicity of rural folk music and transports the listener to a simpler, more innocent time,” Campo said.
The Wind Symphony will also perform Reed’s “The Touch of the Earth” suite. “Michigan Morn” begins and ends the suite, which is itself an arrangement of seven pieces from Reed’s opera “Peter Homan’s Dream.” Closing the concert is Sousa’s “El Capitan,” a staple of the wind band’s repertoire, according to Campo.
The concert is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407.
