ISU Wind Ensemble and Civic Concert Band set to perform on Feb. 23

The Wind Ensemble is directed by Patrick Brooks, director of bands, and the Civic Concert Band is directed by Erin Armstrong.

The program will feature the premiere of “Diversions for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble” by Spokane composer Robert Spittal. This composition was written for a commission started by ISU Bands and Brooks. The commission consortium for “Diversions” now numbers 15 colleges and universities. Spittal has a long association with ISU Bands, having dedicated his 2004 work “Pacem” to the ISU Wind Ensemble. He conducted the premier of “Pacem” at the Western/Northwestern Divisional College Band Directors National Association Conference in Reno, Nevada of that year.

The performance of “Diversions” will feature ISU’s own Shandra Helman, associate professor of clarinet and saxophone, as clarinet soloist. Helman, an ISU faculty member since 2008, is principal clarinetist with the Idaho State Civic Symphony and has soloed with various ISU bands on numerous occasions. Spittal had Helman in mind when composing “Diversions.

The Wind Ensemble will perform “Selections from the Danserye,” a setting of renaissance dances by composer Tielman Susato. The band classic “Lincolnshire Posy” will be performed as well.

The Civic Concert Band will present Malcolm Arnold’s “Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo,” along with a contemporary piece, “Awakening Hills” by Richard Saucedo. Edwin Franco Goldman’s march “On The Mall” will be performed with a new twist. The highlight of the set will be Alfred Reed’s “Ballade” featuring Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Education at ISU, Thomas Kloss, on alto saxophone.

Admission is free to all ISU students, $6 for ISU faculty and staff, $8 for adults and $4 for all pre-college students.

For more information, contact Brooks at 208-282-3147.

Photo information: Shandra Helman.