Alva Review-Courier -

Members of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Chamber Winds and Concert Band will present their spring band concert on Friday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Michael Black, director of bands and assistant professor of music, said the concert will feature a wide variety of pieces. The Chamber Winds, a smaller auditioned wind ensemble, will play "Mystic Embers" by Jennifer Rose, a modern composition for winds and percussion that makes use of an audio track accompaniment; "Rocketship!" by Kevin Day, an energetic piece that emotes images of a rocket launch; "Come Sweet Death" by Johann Sebastian Bach, a well-known chorale melody from the baroque period; "El Zape" by Giovanni Santos, a composition in the style of a Mexican huapango; and "2/2 Tango" by James Stephenson, written in a classic tango style.

"Honestly this concert music has a way of making conversation," said Allison Huffmaster, trumpet, senior nursing major from Enid. "You keep playing it, and it's more difficult music. When you get it right you get to take a breath and realize that this is why we do it. This is why we play. We have some light beautiful music with meaning and depth. Then the next piece you play is strong and has so much going on. The variety is thrilling."

The Concert Band, which includes all students involved in the band program, will play "Home" by Jim Daughters, written in homage to the recently deceased George Boulden, one of professor Black's mentors; "Foundry" by John Mackey, for winds and 'found' percussion; and "Fragile" by Randall Standridge, one of a series of compositions by Standridge intended to bring attention to mental health and promote open and understanding conversations.

"I think the piece I like the most is 'Foundry,'" said Darian Smith, trombone, a senior instrumental music major from Alva. "It's a fun piece that is also pretty complex and unique with the instrumentation – using various household items, percussive instruments, and even scrap metal to create a wondrous cacophony of sound. What I like about 'Foundry' the most, though, is how it proves you can find music in everyday life and do something with it. Banging on scrap metal and pans surprisingly offers a great sound."

Black noted that the students have been rehearsing for many hours each week to prepare for this performance and are excited to show the community the progress the band has been making.For more information about the band program at Northwestern, contact Black at 580-327-8191 or [email protected]. Additional information may be found at http://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/fine-arts/bands-and-instrumental-music.