Division of Music
Fall 2009 Concerts
Symphony Orchestra Concert
For more than 100 years, the WVU Symphony Orchestra has been a vital part of WVU and the local community. Join Maestro Mitchell Arnold and WVU’s finest string, wind, brass, and percussion students as they perform great masterworks and lesser-known gems of the orchestral repertoire.
The WVUSO kicks of the 2009-10 season with Schubert’s masterpiece “The Unfinished Symphony”
Program:
Giacomo Puccini: Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums) for string orchestra
Franz Schubert: Symphony in B Minor “Unfinished”
Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach: Symphony in D Major
Johannes Brahms: Tragic Overture
As great and well-known a work as Schubert’s B-minor Symphony is, it is as much a part of its story that although Schubert stopped work on it in 1822, it did not see the light of day until 1865, 37 years after his death. Furthermore, it narrowly escaped accidental destruction during the years it remained unknown! Since 1865 it has become one of the most beloved works of the orchestral canon. Why Schubert left the work unfinished after completing two movements has been the subject of much speculation. Nevertheless, it is recognized for having charted new symphonic ground, and quickly became a favorite of audiences and musicians alike.
The concert also features a quirky, dramatic symphony by Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach, Johann Sebastien’s second eldest and most famous and influential son; a powerful elegy for strings by Italian Giacomo Puccini, Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums); and Johannes Brahms’s powerfully moving Tragic Overture.
“Brahms gave us no specific “story” for his Tragic Overture, but one cannot miss the musical depiction of a tragic hero’s struggles,” said WVUSO Director of Orchestras, Dr. Mitchell Arnold. “It is music that conveys great drama and emotion.”
September 24, 2009
7:30 pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Wind Symphony Concert
As the premier concert group of the seven University bands, the WVU Wind Symphony is made up of the finest wind and percussion performers at WVU. Join us for an evening of great band music that will feature new compositions for winds and percussion, as well as favorites from the Wind Symphony’s traditional repertoire, all under the direction of John Hendricks, III.
October 6, 2009
7:30 pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Percussion Concert
For more than 30 years, this concert has been one of the highlights of the year at the University. Director George R. Willis continues the WVU tradition of leading the development of the 21st century percussion ensemble.
This year’s show will focus on the influence percussion has had on rock and roll music. The program will combine a very high level of drumming along with the right amount of electronic equipment. The WVU Theater Department will provide an exciting lighting show to accompany the music. Music will include selections by Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, The Beatles, Dream Theater and more (click to listen)
Come on out and have a “rockin’” good time! I hope to see you there!
October 9, 2009
7:30 pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Jazz Ensemble Concert
October 19, 2009
7:30 pm
Gladys Davis Theatre
Choir Concert
“Singing Day and Night”....24 hours of song…...
Featuring The Choral Union, The University Choir, The Women’s Choir, and Same Difference
October 25, 2009
3:15 pm
Gladys Davis Theatre
Music Gala Concert
Annual Scholarship Fundraiser
This year the Gala will be a musical potpourri featuring all of our major performing ensembles. With performances by our Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Choirs, Jazz Ensemble, African Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Opera Scenes, and the ‘Pride of West Virginia’ it will be a night where you can hear the wonderfully talented students who call the CAC their home. Proceeds from the Gala Concert are used to support scholarships in the Division of Music. To donate to the Music Gala Fund please call the WVU Foundation at 304-284-4000.
October 29, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Symphonic Band Concert
Program
Helios by Jan Van der Roost
Alleluia by Randall Thompson/transcribed Lewis Buckley
Peterloo Overture by Malcolm Arnold/arranged Charles Sayre
Third Suite by Robert Jager
An American Elegy by Frank Ticheli
Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett
November 12, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Opera Scenes
November 11, 12, 13, 2009 at 7:30pm
November 14, 2009 at 3:15pm
Edna A. Falbo Theatre
“Live at the Falbo – Vocal Jazz and Small Ensembles Concert”
Featuring Women’s Jazz Vocal Ensembles, Same Difference, and small instrumental ensembles
November 15, 2009
3:15pm
Edna A. Falbo Theatre
Wind Symphony Concert
John Hendricks III, conductor
assisted by
Christopher J. Nichter, conductor
-Program-
Early Light by Carolyn Bremer
(A high-energy concert opener based upon motives of the “National Anthem”)
By the Light of the Polar Star from “Looking Upward Suite” by John Philip Sousa/edited John R. Bourgeois
(A light-natured movement from one of Sousa’s eleven suites. The music was inspired by Sousa “looking into the heavens one crisp evening while riding a train through South Dakota.” The piece is to stylistically represent the old familiar Christmas carol – “Jingle Bells”)
Scherzo alla marcia from Symphony No. 8 by Ralph Vaughan Williams
(A chamber-ensemble piece taken from the second movement of Vaughan William’s eighth symphony. This movement demonstrated Vaughan Williams’ interest in writing for wind instruments since the string section was excluded.)
Symphonic Dance No. 3, “Fiesta” by Clifton Williams
(An exciting piece that depicts the pageantry of street bands, bullfights and the bright costumes of festive Latin American celebrations.)
Rolling Thunder by Henry Fillmore/edited Frederick Fennell
(A rousing fast-tempo, circus-style march featuring the low brass and woodwinds).
Ecstatic Waters by Steven Bryant
(An uplifting new five-movement work that features each section of the WVU Wind Symphony. Unique sounds from the celesta, percussion and crystal water glasses, combined with echo effects from soloists and a vibrant accompanying electronic track, make this one of the more exciting new pieces for winds. Many moments of this work are reminiscent of an action-packed movie soundtrack).
November 17, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Symphony Orchestra Concert
“We celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of our great Presidents with the performance of Aaron Copland’s moving war-time work, Lincoln Portrait, for Orchestra and Speaker, ” according to WVU Symphony Orchestra conductor, Mitchell Arnold. The orchestra will be joined by WVU professor Dr. Christopher Wilkinson as speaker.
Chinese-born composer, Chen Yi’s Golden Flute will be feature WVU flute professor, Dr. Francesca Arnone. “Chen has created a solo work of luminous virtuosity that builds to an epic climax,” comments Arnold. “Her enticing manipulation of orchestra colors and her natural feel for the Chinese inspired flute-writing make this more than simply an important new concerto, but one of great appeal.”
Included in the program is a short memorial piece, For the Fallen, by the important American composer Bernard Herrmann, known primarily for his wonderful scores for such significant films as Citizen Kane, Psycho, Vertigo and Taxi Driver. Rimsky-Korsakov’s alternately exotic and grand Introduction and Wedding Procession from his opera The Golden Cockerel will close the concert.
The evening opens with an overture to the tragic opera Olympie by Joseph Martin Kraus, a contemporary of Mozart, conducted by graduate assistant conductor Alejandro Pinzon.
November 19, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Marching Band Keynotes Concert
The Pride of West Virginia
This annual end-of-the-season event allows fans of the “Pride of West Virginia” to hear their favorite music from WVU football games, including favorite pre-game and halftime music and special performances by the various sections. Under the director of Dearl J. Drury, the concert features the full complement of brass, woodwinds, percussion, flags, and feature twirlers.
November 30, 2009
December 1, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
World Music Showcase Concert
This semester’s World Music Showcase Concert will feature the WVU African Music and Dance Ensemble, WVU Steel Band, and the WVU Javanese Gamelan. Repertoire will include music from West Africa, Trinidad, and Indonesia. The WVU Javanese Gamelan will make its first appearance in almost ten years, highlighting the concert with a special collaborative work with the WVU Division of Theater and Dance. Using a new composition by student-composer Rafael Smith of Brazil, the gamelan will interact with both shadow puppets and dancers clad in elaborate costumes designed by Mary McClung and choreographed by Heather Ahern.
December 3, 2009
7:30pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Holiday Choral Concert
“REJOICE!”.....Celebrate the Season
An afternoon of holiday music, presented by Director Kathleen Shannon, the WVU Choral program, and special guests the Wind Symphony Brass and Percussion. Come and celebrate the season with a performance of great classical and contemporary music, featuring vocalists from the University as well as the local community.
December 6, 2009
3:15pm
Lyell B. Clay Theatre