Northwestern College Symphonic Band to tour over spring break

Northwestern College’s Symphonic Band will perform in churches and schools in Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania March 5–13. For concert times and details, visit www.nwciowa.edu/band-tour.

The concert will include traditional and modern selections by composers from the U.S. and abroad, including “Illuminations,” a newly commissioned composition by Mark Camphouse that is based on “America the Beautiful,” and David Biedenbender’s “Luminescence,” which includes fragments of the hymn “Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light.” Audience members will also hear fragments of the hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save” in the jazzy blues performance of “Joy of Life” by Brian Balmages.

“Catch Me if You Can” will feature sophomore Reese Johnson, LeMars, Iowa, on alto saxophone. The band will also perform “Strange Humors,” a mix of Middle Eastern melodies and African drumming by John Mackey, and “Gandalf,” from Johan de Meij’s “Symphony No. 1, The Lord of the Rings.”

The 48-member Symphonic Band is directed by Dr. Tim McGarvey, professor of music at Northwestern. The ensemble has performed across the U.S. and internationally, including in Cuba in 2013.

The band will perform its touring concert in Northwestern’s Christ Chapel on Friday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m.