Southeastern Louisiana University

Wind Symphony will feature outstanding percussionists April 6

Contact: Christina Chapple

3/30/06

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OUTSTANDING PERCUSSIONISTS – “Concertino for Four Percussion,” one of the works that will be performed by the Southeastern Louisiana University Wind Symphony in its April 6 concert at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will feature, from left, Stephen Hux Jr. of New Orleans, marimba; A. J. Allulli of Mandeville, vibraphone; Travis Henthorn of Mandeville, timpani and bells; and Dale Rhodes of Slidell, marimba and xylophone. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.

      HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Wind Symphony’s spring concert, “Ghost Train,” will showcase four outstanding percussionists in a major new work by American composer David Gillingham. The concert is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond.

      Wind Symphony Conductor Glen Hemberger said seniors Dale Rogers of Slidell and Stephen Hux Jr. of New Orleans, and sophomores A.J. Allulli and Travis Henthorn, both of Mandeville, will be featured in Gillingham's “Concertino for Four Percussion."

      The piece, Hemberger said,  “is a tour-de-force for the soloists, showcasing in this demanding and exhilarating piece the extreme range of colors and dynamics of keyboard, membrane and auxiliary instruments.” The work features marimbas, xylophone, timpani, vibraphone, and bass drums.

      The concert’s central piece is the "Ghost Train Triptych" by Eric Whitacre.

      “In ‘Ghost Train,’ the composer explores the legend of a supernatural machine that roars out of the night through forgotten towns and empty canyons, a vision deeply rooted in American folklore,” Hemberger said. “Whitacre paints an impressive musical portrait as the train blazes across the countryside, moonlight glistening off it’s dark steel. What results is a highly enjoyable, entertaining, and difficult work for wind band.”

      The program will open with Leonard Bernstein’s classic work, the "Overture to ‘Candide.’” 

      “Lighthearted and spirited in nature, the overture is based on songs from the 1950’s musical of the same name,” Hemberger said.

      The program shifts direction with "A Movement for Rosa" by Mark Camphouse.  Camphouse is director of bands at Radford University in Virginia and was a guest conductor with the Wind Symphony in 2002. He composed the piece to honor civil rights heroine Rosa Parks.

      “This musically demanding work explores her life in three enthralling and contrasting sections, and is based around the hymn, ‘We Shall Overcome,’” Hemberger said.

      The Wind Symphony and guest conductor Jeff Vaughan, director of Southeastern’s “Spirit of the Southland” marching band, will also present the oft-performed and lyrical "Blessed are They," adapted for wind band from the 1868 “German Requiem” of Johannes Brahms.

      Admission for the concert is $5 for adults, and $3 for senior citizens and Southeastern faculty, and staff. The concert is free for all students with I.D., regardless of age. Doors to the Columbia Theatre will open at 6:45 p.m.