The UPEI Wind Symphony, under the direction of Karem J. Simon, will be performing a full recital of contemporary wind band music on Thursday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. at the Homburg Theatre in Charlottetown.
Following years of performances at local churches, the Wind Symphony is using Charlottetown's premier concert venue at the Confederation Centre of the Arts to provide its members, guest performers, and audience with an optimal experience.
The ensemble is in fine form and recent performances in Saint John, NB, and Summerside have been enthusiastically received.
The centerpiece of the program is the “Concertino for Four Percussion” by American composer David Gillingham. This work exploits the technical, expressive and sonic qualities of the Wind Symphony's extensive percussion section.
Featured soloists include principal percussionist Ryan Drew and freshman Kendall Perry, who will be joined by UPEI music graduates Michael Gallant and Branden Kelly.
The Wind Symphony's program will begin with Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Schumann's “Chester”, which is a setting with variations of an 18th century American Revolutionary hymn.
“Medieval Suite”, a work by another American, Ron Nelson, will follow. Here, Nelson captures the music of the 12th and 13th centuries while using contemporary harmonies, textures colour, and minimalism.
Thereafter, the Wind Symphony will jump a couple of centuries in its presentation of an elegant set of Renaissance dances by Japanese composer Yosuke Fukuda. Concluding this recital with be the “March from Symphonic Metamorphosis” by Paul Hindemith, a clever adaptation of themes by romantic composer Carl Maria von Weber.
Comprised of UPEI music majors, the group has been critically acclaimed for its performance standard and innovative programming. During the past 20 years the Wind Symphony has produced a CD featuring selected repertoire from each year’s performances.
Recently, the Wind Symphony performed the inaugural concert band recital at the new Celtic Performing Arts Centre in Summerside. A consistent hallmark of the Wind Symphony has been its collaborations with Island school bands. For this recital, UPEI is delighted to share the opportunity of performing at the Homburg Theatre with two local groups – the Queen Charlotte Grade 9 Band, under the direction of Sylvia Andrew; and, the Colonel Gray Grade 11 - 12 Band under the direction of Shawn Doiron.
Tickets for this performance are $15, adults and $10, students. They are available at UPEI, participating schools, and the Confederation Centre box office.
