ISU School of Performing Arts presents Bands Concert Nov. 13

The ISU Wind Ensemble will perform three works that span more than 400 years of musical history. “The William Byrd Suite” by 20th century composer Gordon Jacobs is a lively set of five of  William Byrd’s compositions for the virginal, a keyboard instrument that is essentially a portable harpsichord. “Mars,” from Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” has served as the inspirational source for many of today's motion picture soundtracks including the Star Wars series. 

The featured soloist for the concert is Hyeri Choi, assistant professor of violin at ISU and concertmaster in the Idaho State-Civic Symphony. She will perform solo violin on Robert Spittal’s “Prelude and Flight for Violin and Band.” Written in 2014, “Prelude and Flight” is a mostly lighter work, featuring playful rhythmic exchanges between the violin solo. The composer Robert Spittal lives in Spokane, Washington, and has a long association with the ISU band program.

The ISU Civic Concert Band will open their program with “Desert Light” by Thomas Root, which calls to mind the rising sun over the desert landscape. Samuel Hazo composed “As Winds Dance” to be a teaching tool for musicians exploring syncopation. Patrick Brooks, ISU director of bands, will lead the band in a performance of Frank Ticheli’s arrangement of “Ave Maria.”  The band will end their set with “Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night” by Elliot Del Borgo. The piece was commissioned in 1978 to commemorate Jill Marie Waterland and Mandy Doel, students of the composer who were tragically killed in a car accident. 

Ticket prices are $8 for general admission, $6 for ISU faculty and staff, $4 for pre-college students and ISU Students are free with a valid Bengal card. Tickets may be purchased at the ISU Box Office or at the Student Union Building.