Symphonic Winds and Bison Jazz Orchestra in Concert March 3

March 2, 2016

OBU’s Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts and the Division of Music will present OBU’s Symphonic Winds and the Bison Jazz Orchestra in concert Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.

Symphonic Winds will perform a number of pieces including “Alleluia! Laudamus Te” by Alfred Reed; “Three Chorale Preludes” by William P. Latham; “The Swiss Shepherd” by Pietro Morlacchi; “Rolling Thunder” by Henry Fillmore; “Variations on a Shaker Melody” by Aaron Copland; and “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Elliot Del Borgo. Dr. Carlos Feller will make a guest appearance on the flute in Morlacchi’s “The Swiss Shepherd.”

The Bison Jazz Orchestra will play selections from a set list inlcuding “Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night” by Julie Style and Sammy Cahn and arranged by Patrick Williams; “Old Rugged Cross” by George Bennard and arranged by Chris McDonald; “Riverscape” by Fred Sturm; “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael and arranged by Sammy Nestico; “Shirley” by Sammy Nestico; and “Go Go” by Bob Mintzer.

The Symphonic Winds is under the direction of conductor Ryan Meeks, instructor of music and director of bands. Membership in the group is achieved through an audition and is open to all students of the university, with about half or the membership consisting of music majors. Comprised of the most accomplished instrumental musicians on campus, the Symphonic Winds maintains a strong commitment to performing quality wind band works of high artistic merit.

The Bison Jazz Orchestra, an auditioned 20 piece jazz ensemble, is the premiere jazz ensemble of OBU. Directed by Justin Pierce, assistant professor in instrumental music, the Bison Jazz Orchestra performs a wide variety of big band music ranging from music of the swing band era to contemporary big band works. In addition to music majors, members of the Bison Jazz Orchestra are pursuing degrees in a wide variety of majors and disciplines.