On Tuesday, April 19th at 7:30 p.m., the Peoples Bank Theatre will come alive with the sound of music as the Marietta College Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble make their debut in the renovated venue with the John Philip Sousa: Looking Back and Planning Ahead Spring Band Concert. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. Doors to the theatre will open for audience entrance at 7:00 p.m.
“Much thought went into the programming for the concert,” according to Associate Professor Marshall C. Kimball, Director of Bands and Instrumental Activities at Marietta College. “When I realized we were going to have this opportunity to perform in the beautifully renovated theatre, I thought it would be very appropriate to perform the type of concert that could have been heard in the theatre during it’s opening days in 1919. That was a time when the John Philip Sousa band, a professional concert band, was very popular. From that thought came the music selection for this historic performance event.”
The Spring Band Concert will be in the same format as that of the John Philip Sousa Band concerts. “It is not all Sousa Marches, although the bands will be performing two of his marches including King Cotton and the concert finale will be a mass band performance of Stars and Stripes Forever,” said Kimball.
During Sousa’s concerts Sousa always featured a soprano soloist. To fulfill this standard for the concert Dr. Amy Yekel, dramatic soprano and MC vocal adjunct will perform the Italian aria, Voi lo sapete from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and will follow that performance with Someone To Watch Over Me by George and Ira Gershwin. Dr. Yekel will be accompanied by the Symphonic Band. Sousa also consistently featured an instrumental soloist, who will be MC saxophone adjunct, Jordan Reed. Reed will be performing Fantasia for Alto Saxophone and Band by Claude Smith, performing with the MC Wind Ensemble.
Introducing new band literature was a characteristic of the Sousa Band concerts. To continue that tradition the Marietta College Wind Ensemble will be performing the world premiere of Because It Was Real by Marietta College music theory professor, Dr. Andrew Francis.
Other compositions being performed on the concert will include selections that the Sousa Band performed during it’s era of popularity, including The Star Spangled Banner, which was performed at every Sousa event.
“Other special events are planned for this festive evening but those will be kept under wraps to build the expectations for the concert. To say the least we are all very excited for this opportunity and plan a great concert and event for both the performers and the audience. Our goal is to “Pack the House with a full audience of 940 attendees. We hope the community and college will support the bands for this special concert,” say Kimball.
For more information on the concert contact the Edward E. MacTaggart Music Department at 740-376-4696 or Marshall C.Kimball at marshall.kimball@nullmarietta.edu.
