This coming Thursday in Jarman Auditorium the Longwood Wind Symphony will host their fall concert by representing compositions from the year 1963 that were either composed during the year or inspired by a famous – or infamous – event in ‘63.
“One of the pieces that we plan to play I knew was written in 1963, and I just decided [to do others] in the same year,” said Dr. Gordon Ring, professor of Music and director of the concert.
The pieces were chosen based on their cohesiveness to the ensemble and the performers. Five pieces will be performed during the night, including “Elegy For A Young American” by Ronald LoPresti and Adolphus Hailstork’s "American Guernica.” LoPresti’s piece was inspired by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy while Hailstork’s composition describes the effects of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.
“These particular pieces, I think, fit our ensemble well, and they’ll go along with the program well,” said Ring.
Three composers are specifically represented in the concert, and those include Alfred Reed, Martin Mailman and Eric Osterling. All three were dedicated composers working for school bands on various education levels.
Reed was also a member of the Beta Tau Chapter for Phi Mu Alpha at Baylor University.
Unfortunately, all three composers have passed away since 2000.
While attendees are entering Jarman, they will have the opportunity to see a poster that will hang in the lobby depicting a 1963 calendar with important national and local events from the year listed, including births and deaths of famous figures.
1996 alumnus, James Lyle, will also be making a special appearance at the performance as a guest pianist accompanying some of the pieces.
Associate Professor of Communications Jeff Halliday will take part in announcing the event.
The symphony will begin at 7:30 p.m., and on Friday, Nov. 8 the Percussion Ensemble will host a concert at Molnar Recital Hall.
Both concerts are free for all audience members.
