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The SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble, under the direction of School of Music Professor Paula Holcomb, will open its spring performance schedule with an exciting concert of traditional and contemporary works on Saturday, March 4, 8 p.m. in King Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Concert highlights include:

•    Percy Grainger's “Children's March: Over the Hills and Far Away” is a common melodic depicting young people who are on a “march” or exploration of their world. “They stop and see things and are surprised, excited and then head home after an exciting, fun-filled day,” Dr. Holcomb said.

•    “Toward the Splendid City” is about composer Richard Danielpour’s love of New York City, where he grew up. “It is as if one were spending a day in New York City, with the ebb and flow of the various energies of the city,” Holcomb explained. “While he was having a ‘love/hate’ relationship with the city as he indicates, ultimately it is the incredible energy and vibrancy of NYC that wins!” He also envisions the bridges, tunnels and grandeur of the city.

•    Robert Kurka’s “The Good Soldier Schweik” is a satirical opera from the World War I era that’s drawn on a novel by Yaroslavl Haček, a Czech novelist, who based the story on his own experiences of being an ordinary person who was forced to fight in a war.

•    In “Sea-Blue Circuitry,” Mason Bates traces the development of computers from the typewriter era to the mainframe to Macs and personal computers, complete with a typewriter performed by a percussionist.

•    Chen Yi’s “Dragon Rhyme” will be conducted by Ben Kohn, a graduate wind conducting assistant. The composer, recipient of a Pulitzer Prize, visited the campus and provided very insightful comments to the ensemble which have been incorporated in the piece, Holcomb said.

•    A rousing “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” by John Philip Sousa, concludes the concert.
“From New York City, Europe, China, Australia and landing in computer land, travel with us through time, culture, computers and end up with a good old-fashion march,” Holcomb, who is director of bands, said of the eclectic program. Audience participation will also be a part of the program.

“Join us in King Concert Hall and hear these outstanding musicians,” Holcomb said.