By Audrey Forbes
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas Wind Ensemble will perform Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.
The performance is free and open to the public. The Wind Ensemble will be conducted by Director of Bands Dr. Ricky Brooks.
The theme of the concert is “Twists and Turns” because the featured pieces include difficult rhythmic changes and tempos.
The concert will open with “Occident and Orient Grand March” by Camille Saint-Saens.
The next piece, “Harlequin” by Philip Sparke, will feature Stephen Flores, euphonium soloist from Florida. Flores is a Student Spotlight Competition winner.
“’Profanation’ from the Jeremiah Symphony” by Leonard Bernstein will be conducted by Nathan Rakow, a graduate conductor from Wisconsin.
“This piece keeps everyone constantly off-balance with abrupt and frequent mixed-meter changes and cross-rhythms as only Bernstein can create,” Brooks said.
The ensemble will end the concert with “Overture in Five Flat” by Julie Giroux. Brooks said the piece would be enjoyable for both the performer and the listener. It was composed in honor of Air Force Band conductor Lowell Graham and his love for speed.
“The composer indicates the tempo as ‘you have five minutes’,” Brooks said. “Hopefully we’ll finish all together in under five minutes with no casualties.”
The audience will be encouraged to take out their phones and time the ensemble.
For more information, contact Brooks at 501-450-5764 or rickyb@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing, as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call 501-450-3293.
