Symphonic Winds and Bison Jazz Orchestra to Host Free Concert Nov. 21

November 19, 2019

The OBU Symphonic Winds and Bison Jazz Orchestra will host a free concert in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium Nov. 21. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. and the community is invited.

Under the direction of Dr. Justin Pierce, the Bison Jazz Orchestra will perform the Original Duke Ellington arrangement of “Caravan,” back to back with a new Afro-Cuban arrangement. They will also perform Ellington’s compositions “Rocking in Rhythm” and “Concerto for Cootie.” Both of these pieces will feature OBU trumpet professor Paul Stephens. Finally, the Bison Jazz Orchestra will perform the Cole Porter classic, made famous by Frank Sinatra, “Night and Day.” Featured in this piece will be vocalist Matthew Anderson.

The Bison Jazz Orchestra is an auditioned 20-piece jazz ensemble. They perform a wide variety of big band music ranging from music of the swing band era to contemporary big band works. The ensemble performs regularly across the OBU campus and throughout the Shawnee community. They perform at Night of Jazz each semester.

Under the direction of Dr. Teresa Purcell, the Symphonic Winds will perform the Giovanni Gabrieli piece, “Canzona No.1.” They will also perform “Old Churches,” by Michael Colgrass and “Salvation is Created” by Tschesnokoff. They will then perform Ron Nelson’s “Courtly Airs and Dances in six movements.” The Symphonic Winds will close with Jack Stamp’s “Gavorkna Fanfare.”

The OBU Symphonic Winds is an auditioned ensemble, consisting of students across the university. The ensemble is compromised of the most accomplished instrumental musicians on campus. They perform across the United States, maintaining their commitment to perform quality wind band works of high artistic merit.