Southeastern Louisiana University

Wind Symphony presents 'Journeys, Jesters, and Jedi' April 26

Contact: Christina Chapple

4/9/07

     HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Wind Symphony will present its spring concert, “Journeys, Jesters, and Jedi,” at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, April 26.

     The 7:30 p.m. concert at the university’s downtown Hammond theater will feature the music of Mark Camphouse, Frank Ticheli, John Williams, and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, said Conductor Glen J. Hemberger, director of bands in the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts.

     “The concert will showcase the tremendous range of dynamics, tone, color, energy, and sound that make the modern wind band so exciting to experience in live performance,” Hemberger said.

     Hemberger said the first half of the program will include Frank Ticheli's latest composition, “Sanctuary,” which he called “a powerful and beautiful work.” Associate Director of Bands Jeff Vaughan will lead the ensemble in a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams' “Toccata Marziale,” a staple of the wind band literature. “Rocky Point Holiday,” one of American composer Ron Nelson's most recognizable and oft-performed pieces, will round out the first half of the program. 

     The second half of the concert centers around the music of John Williams and Tchaikovsky. “Tchikovsky’s ‘Dance of the Jesters’ is a fast-paced, high energy piece alternating between bright fanfares in the brass to rapid, technical passages in the woodwinds,” Hemberger said. 

     The symphony will also perform a new 15-minute, five-movement setting of the “Star Wars Trilogy” by John Williams. Transcribed from Williams' original score, the work features music from “Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return of the Jedi.”

     “Included in the trilogy are ‘Darth Vader's Theme,’ ‘Princess Leia's Theme,’ ‘The Battle in the Forest,’ ‘Yoda's Theme,’ and the ‘Star Wars Main Theme,’” Hemberger said. “The music is vibrant, and brings to life the true spirit of the film series and its characters.”

     Admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for senior citizens, and Southeastern faculty and staff.  All students with ID, regardless of age, are admitted free of charge. Doors to the Columbia Theatre will open at 6:45 p.m.

     For additional information, contact the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts, 985-549-2184.