Northwestern music presents band, choir and strings concerts

The Northwestern College music department will present a series of concerts in April and early May, featuring music from the Heritage Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Women’s Choir and Orchestra. The concerts will be held in Christ Chapel and are free and open to the public.

On Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., Northwestern’s Jazz Ensemble will perform a variety of big band and jazz standards, including Gordon Goodwin’s “Hunting Wabbits,” a playful tribute to classic cartoons; “String of Pearls,” a song made popular by the Glenn Miller Orchestra; and vocal chart “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” Other highlights include Ennio Morricone’s tender ballad “Cinema Paradiso” and a sampling of Latin music.

At that same concert, the Heritage Singers will be singing several popular songs, including Billy Joel’s hit “Lullabye (Good Night, My Angel),” “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”—a song first recorded by Elvis Presley—and “Till There Was You” from the musical “The Music Man.”

On Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., the Symphonic Band’s concert titled “Colors!” will bring music to life through visual artwork. Art will be created live on stage by area artists and members of Northwestern’s art department. Musical features include Larry Daehn’s arrangement of “Themes from ‘Green Bushes’” by Percy Grainger, Karl King’s “Purple Pageant” concert march, and cinematic composer Rossano Galante’s “Red Rock Mountain.” The Northwestern College Jazz Ensemble will also make an appearance playing Gordon Goodwin’s jazz version of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, the Women’s Choir and Orchestra will present a joint concert. The Women’s Choir will perform the regional premiere of Sarah Quartel’s five-movement work, “She Sang the Stars,” based on characters from the Finnish poem, “The Kalevala.” Also on the program are Z. Randall Stroope’s dramatic “Revelation”—which tells the biblical story of the apocalyptic final days—and upbeat favorites from Diana V. Sáez and Moses Hogan.

The Orchestra’s program will share stories through music, including Chris Sharp’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” and James Kazik’s compilation of soundtrack highlights from John Williams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Carrie Lane Gruselle’s arrangement of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” will also shine as a Romantic era masterpiece inspired by the story of “1,001 Arabian Nights.”

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.