The Central College music department will welcome over 75 students from 14 high schools across Iowa Jan. 26 for Bandfest 2012, with the day culminating in the Bandfest Concert at 7 p.m. in Douwstra Auditorium.
The performance will pair visiting student musicians with the Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform music from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” as well as from Frank Ticheli’s “Shenandoah,” Jay Chattaway’s “Spanish Fever,” Jari Villanueva’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace” and Percy Aldridge Grainger’s rendition of Irish Tune from County Derry.
The group will be under the direction of Mitch Lutch, assistant professor of music and director of bands. Assistant professor of music Stan Dahl and adjunct instructor of music Dennis Pedde will contribute as leaders of the percussion and brass sections, respectively.
Prior to the evening performance, visiting students will spend the day in workshops and rehearsals.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is an auditioned 35-piece instrumental group and one of the premier ensembles on campus. It hosts two major concerts each semester and tours annually. Earlier in January, the ensemble traveled to New Orleans for this year’s tour.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact Debbie Abel at 641-628-5236 or abeld@central.edu.