The NWWS’s Spring concert, “English Fare,” takes place April 16, 2016, at Corbet Theatre at 7pm. This final concert of our 25th season reminds us of the roots of our American wind music heritage. Featured are works of a newer breed of composers, some of which you’ve never heard. The music, however, is pure delight!
Commissioned in 1985 for the 10th anniversary of the Bolton Youth Concert Band, Festivo was premiered at the WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) convention in July of that year. Many of Edward Gregson’s works for wind band have become staples in the band world. Besides Festivo, the NWWS has performed his Tuba Concerto, and Celebration, a veritable concerto for wind ensemble.
Adam Gorb studied Music at Cambridge University and Composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he graduated with the highest honors and has a PhD in Composition from the University of Birmingham. He currently is Head of School of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Downtown Diversions was composed for a consortium of fourteen American colleges and universities; it was premiered at the 2001 National Conference of the CBDNA (College Band Directors National Association). Its style is witty with a subtle hint of jazz and is a tour de force for both the ensemble as well as the trombone soloist. This piece features NWWS’s own Rich Pasko on trombone.
When Lincolnshire Posy was first performed by the Milwaukee Concert Band, only three movements were performed: one, two, and four. This was because Grainger believed that the performers cared “more about their beer than the music.” As a completed work, it was premiered at the ABA (American Bandmasters Association) convention in 1937. The work of “musical wildflowers,” as Grainger referred to it, was a portrait of the singers, many of which died in poor houses. It has blossomed into a staple of the wind band repertoire.
Thanks to Hollywood, the Colonel Bogey March enjoys world-wide popularity. It was composed by Lieutenant F. J. Ricketts (a.k.a. Kenneth J. Alford), a British Army bandmaster who later became the director of music for the Royal Marines at Plymouth.
The four movements of Songs & Refrains are each based on a different folksong of various origins. Each movement can be seen to adopt a ‘micro’ theme-and-variation form, in that a melody is initially presented simply, and is then played around with. All the songs had verses that link the songs most closely to the music.
Our 25th season then concludes with Edward Elgar’s Military March No. 1 – perhaps the most often performed military march in history.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the door or Book ‘n’ Brush in Chehalis for $12 general admission. Kids and students are free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by paying adult. Please visit our Concerts or Tickets page for more information.