Northwestern Symphonic Band, ensembles to perform

The Northwestern College Symphonic Band, under the direction of professor Dr. Angela (Holt) Carlson, will present a worldwide-themed concert on Friday, Nov. 15, and two Northwestern chamber ensembles will perform Friday, Dec. 13. Both events will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel and are free and open to the public.

The Symphonic Band concert, titled “Go Into All the World,” will highlight music from several countries, including Italian composer Frank Ticheli’s “Vesuvius,” an “explosive and fiery work … that could represent a dance from the final days of the doomed city of Pompeii,” notes the composer. The concert journeys into England with a three-movement piece by Gustav Holst, whose First Suite in E-flat opens with a brilliant brass medley and officially premiered in 1920 at the Royal Military School of Music. From Russian composer Pavel Chesnokov, an instrumental form of “Salvation Is Created” will offer a time of reflection based on Psalm 74.

In addition to more worldwide band music, this concert will include opportunities to donate—through love offerings, baked goods and a craft sale—toward the Symphonic Band’s spring music mission tour to Italy.

The Dec. 13 concert will feature strings and saxophone ensembles from Northwestern’s music department. Directed by music professor Dr. Juyeon Kang, the strings ensemble will perform “Sonata for Two Violins” and “Cello in G Major” by Giuseppe Tartini and two pieces from Walter Rabl.

The saxophone ensemble will be directed by instructor Pam De Haan. Highlights include “Wade in the Water,” an Afro-American spiritual; “Greensleeves Fantasy,” with “Greensleeves” variations from section to section; and “Polar Vortex,” with two movements of “Snowfall” and “Bloodthirsty Blizzard.”

For more information, contact Lisa Koerselman at 712-707-7062 or lisa.koerselman@nwciowa.edu.

Northwestern’s music department has a tradition of dynamic performances, outstanding faculty and standout educational experiences in an environment committed to glorifying God. Students can audition for one or more of 10 ensembles, having the opportunity to tour around the world and perform in the award-winning Christ Chapel.