WT Concert, Symphonic bands to offer free spring performances
Apr. 25—CANYON — The West Texas A&M University Concert Band and Symphonic Band will highlight celestial fantasies and mystical voyages at their upcoming spring concerts.
The bands will perform, respectively, at 6 and 8 p.m. May 1 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT's Canyon campus. Admission is free.
The Concert Band's program will include "Galactic Fanfare" by Randall Standridge, "Chimes of Liberty" by Edwin Franco Goldman, "Stubernic Fantasy" by Mark Ford, "Give Us This Day" by David Maslanka" and "A Deep Reverberation Fills with Stars" by John Mackey.
Mackey himself worked with the band April 16 on his composition, a new work inspired by the way the world ground to a halt during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Patrick Lucas, a graduate student in music performance from Odessa, will conduct "Galactic Fanfare. Gerry Lara, a graduate student in music performance from Midland, will conduct "Stubernic Fantasy," which features percussion soloists Aidan Caballero, a sophomore music education major from Odessa; Brandon Garcia, a sophomore music education major from Amarillo; and Mason McWest, a junior music education major from Amarillo. All three will perform on the same, large marimba.
"This is by far the most challenging program I've ever prepared with the Concert Band," director Russ Teweleit, professor of music education, said in a news release. "They have really risen to the challenge and rehearsals have been full of blood, sweat, tears and lots of joy. I will miss this group terribly."
The Symphonic Band's program will include "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" by Eugene Lockhart, Ernest Seitz and Harry Alford; Concerto for Trumpet by Alexander Arutiunian; "Nessun Dorma" from "Turandot" by Giacomo Puccini; and "Il Concerto" by Oscar Navarro.
"We'll close with Mackey's 'Wine Dark Sea' in celebration of its 10th anniversary," Don Lefevre, associate professor of music and director of bands, said in the release. "John also worked with the Symphonic Band on April 15, and the students found it so inspiring to work directly with the composer."
Soloists will include Dayton Scholz, a junior music education major from Amarillo, on the Navarro piece, and Emily Sotelo, a graduate student from Greenwood, on the Arutiunian concerto.
The WT Symphonic Band was named the winner of the Presidential Order of the Silver Buffalo Award on April 19, presented to individuals and groups who have brought national or international recognition to WT. The band was recognized for being invited to perform at the 2023 College Band Directors National Association convention and the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association convention.
View the Symphonic Band roster here.
View the Concert Band roster here.
