The Fort Hays State University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds Winter Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University Campus.
As the Fall 2014 semester winds down to a close, the FHSU bands grind away in preparation for the final performance of 2014. The FHSU Symphonic Winds, which is composed of the 2014 Marching Band Members has done so under very short and strenuous circumstances.
“Due to the calendar, we haven’t had as much time to prepare as we usually do,” said Lane Weaver, director of the FHSU Symphonic Winds. “The small window of time we have creates a sense of anticipation to see how everything will turnout in only 8 rehearsals.”
“Overall I’m pleased with how the group is rehearsing, and how its taken on the music,” Weaver said. “There are some really strong players this year, including promising news faces and reliable old ones.”
The Symphonic Winds portion of the concert will feature a 3 movement tune titled ‘English Folk Song Suite’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Williams piece will be directed by three students directors; Matt Rome, Erin Bundy, and Kevin Pham.
The Symphonic Winds will also perform a fast paced spanish march titled, ‘Amparito Roca,’ and a piece titled ‘A Song for Japan.’
The FHSU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Jeff Jordan is similarly wrapping up and nailing down the pieces that the group will perform for the Dec. 5 concert.
“I’m feeling good about the group this year,” Jordan said. “Preparation for the concert is going well.”
The Wind Ensemble, which rehearses twice week after the end of marching band has rehearsed its lineup for the concert since after its last concert in mid October.
“The week off during fall break could be a bit problematic, but I don’t believe it will be much of an issue for this group,” Jordan said.
The Wind Ensembles portion of the Concert will open with ‘Flourish for Glorious John’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Following the opening piece will be the premiere of a composition created by FHSU senior Matt Rome titled ‘At Dawn.’ Next in the Wind Ensemble’s lineup is ‘Handel in the Strand,’ a piece by Percy Grainger that was described by Jordan as “fast and merry.” The Wind Ensemble will close the concert with ‘Joy Ride’ by a young composer named Michael Markowski.