Tag: Corbet Theatre

If you’re longing for a taste of the good old days, look no further than the Northwest Wind Symphony’s Oct. 15 “Celebrate Sousa” concert. The evening’s program features the music of John Philip Sousa and popular music of his time, performed the way Sousa’s band would have done it.

On the first half of his roadshow concerts, Sousa featured orchestral numbers transcribed for band, such as Ferdinand Herold’s “Zampa Overture.” Sousa also programmed a band feature. On our concert, we’ll feature Dane Hurd, trumpet soloist, performing Ernst Sachse’s “Concertino in Eb,” accompanied by brass band. These band features were usually followed by a “warhorse” piece — popular music performed by many orchestras and known to the audience. For our warhorse piece, we’ll bring you Franz von Suppe’s “Jolly Robbers Overture.” 

Mixed into the repertoire of classical and popular music were Sousa’s marches, placed in between as encores. Our march encores for the first half are El Capitan, Liberty Bell, and The Thunderer — well-known and loved staples of Sousa’s now famous repertoire.

If you went out to see Sousa’s band back in the day, the second half of the concert would treat you to novelty numbers, with something unique or fun about each piece. On our October concert, Arthur Pryor’s “Whistler and His Dog” and Harry Lincoln’s “Midnight Fire Alarm” invite audience participation. Henri Kling’s “Two Little Bullfinches” features a piccolo duet, and on Sousa’s “Roosters Lay Eggs in Kansas,” you’ll find out just how many NWWS musicians can sing.

Our encore marches for the second half are the venerable “Washington Post” and Sousa’s most famous composition, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Although the march debuted in 1897, it found popularity during the Spanish-American War (1898), riding the rise of patriotic sentiment. In 1987, it became the official national march of the United States.

This show starts at 7 p.m. at Corbet Theatre on the Centralia College campus. Get tickets for $12 (general admission) now at Book ‘n’ Brush in Chehalis, or at the door the night of the event.

We’re back. After a two-year pause for the pandemic, we’re proud to once again bring high-caliber live music to southwest Washington. Mark your calendars for 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

The program for our spring concert features American music by American composers. Some of the most well-known American composers served in and composed for military bands. We’ll begin the evening with Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed, who served in the Army during World War II. Samuel Barber also served in the Army during World War II, composing Commando March after completing his tour of duty. Claude Thomas Smith composed Festival Variations for the U.S. Air Force Band.

If military service is a cornerstone of American society, so is our entertainment industry. Suite of Old American Dances, written by Broadway composer Robert Russell Bennett, recalls dances like the cake walk, the western one-step, and the rag. Leonard Bernstein’s Selections from Westside Story brings you songs from one of Broadway’s most the popular shows of all time. Grover’s Corners and Silverado celebrate the silver screen with music reminiscent of traditional American towns of the east coast and Wild West.

We’ll close the evening with a truly beautiful arrangement of America the Beautiful and crowd favorite Stars and Stripes Forever— two pieces of music that never fail to stir love and pride for country in the hearts of Americans.

The show starts at 7 p.m. at Corbet Theatre on the Centralia College campus. Get tickets for $12 (general admission) now at Book n Brush in Chehalis, or at the door the night of the event.