The newest music ensemble at IUP, University Band, will present their debut performance as part of a combined concert with the IUP Music Department's Symphony Band at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, in Fisher Auditorium. The University Band combines the resources of the IUP Music Department and IUP Community Music School into a unique combination of non-music major IUP students, IUP music majors on their secondary instruments, and community members.
With its genesis in the Community Music School, the University Band became a Special Topics course through the Music Department in order to be more inclusive of IUP students and to give music majors the opportunity to work on their secondary instruments in something more than just individual practice.
"The results have been nothing short of spectacular," remarked director and IUP music faculty member Jason Worzbyt. "With the fear of an audition being removed, students who previously would not have played are now having a terrific collegiate-level band experience, music majors are enjoying a 'real-world' application of their secondary instruments, and community members are continuing to thrive in what is, for them, a larger community band experience."
"It's been such a win-win," Worzbyt continued, "and not only a wonderfully fun experience conducting the group but an absolute privilege. It brings student-centered and community together in one amazing music-making experience!"
This first concert, titled American Icons, is shared with the IUP Symphony Band, and includes the "Rakes of Mallow" by Leroy Anderson; "Shenandoah" by Frank Ticheli; first Suite in Eb by Gustav Holst; "ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon" by Percy Grainger; "Chorale and Shaker Dance" by John Zdechlik; and the "US Field Artillery March" by John Philip Sousa.
"The other half of the concert by the IUP Symphony Band," Worzbyt said, "is a set of terrific pieces with guest composers and soloists, including retiring IUP trumpet professor Kevin Eisensmith and the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Curt Scheib."
Those selections are "Men of Ohio March" by Henry Filmore; "On an American Spiritual" by David Holsinger and guest conducted by IUP faculty member Stephanie Caulder; "Sempre Avanti," composed and guest conducted by Patrick Burns; "Old American Songs" by Aaron Copland (Curt Scheib, soloist); "Song for My Children" by Andrew Boysen, Jr. and guest conducted by Scott Jones; and "Dramatic Essay" by Clifton Williams (Kevin Eisensmith, soloist).
"This is going to be one of those concerts that you're not going to want to miss!" concluded Worzbyt.
Tickets are $8/$7/$5 and are on sale online, or may be purchased at the door an hour before the performance. For more information, contact the Lively Arts at lively-arts@iup.edu, or at 724-357-2787 (ARTS).