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FSU’s Wind Ensemble to Perform “Soundscapes II” Concert

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present its Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Ash Glenn, in a concert titled “Soundscapes II” on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed; click the “Join Stream” button on this page a few minutes before the recital is scheduled to begin, or anytime during the recital, to view the live performance.

The ensemble will perform “Shimmering Sunshine” by Kevin Day; “Hymn to the Infinite Sky” by Satoshi Yagisawa; “Fantasia for Euphonium and Band” by Gordon Jacob, featuring faculty artist Joshua Bishop on euphonium; “Shenandoah,” arranged by Omar Thomas; and “Riptides” by Katahj Copley.

“Shimmering Sunshine” is a composition that depicts the sun when it is positioned at high noon, at its brightest point during the day. Throughout the piece, there are different “shimmers” of bright light that bounce around from instrument to instrument, depicting moments of sunshine both beautiful and, at the same time, powerful.

The spiritual “Hymn to the Infinite Sky” is a tone poem based on the words of the conductor of the school band who commissioned the work – “The sky has to be a symbol of peace. However, there is sky where combat planes are flying when children look up. I wish there would be no more conflict on Earth. I hope that children all over the world will hold on to their dreams toward the sky. I pray to the infinite sky for world peace.”

“Fantasia for Euphonium and Band” was written in 1973 at the request of euphoniumist Michael Mamminga. Jacob said he titled the piece Fantasia “because the work is in free form, though in outline it bears some relation to classical sonata or rondo form.”

“Shenandoah” is one of the most well-known and beloved Americana folk songs. Thomas’ arrangement recalls the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, not bathed in golden sunlight, but blanketed by low-hanging clouds and experiencing intermittent periods of heavy rainfall (created with a combination of percussion textures). There are a few musical moments where the sun attempts to pierce through the clouds, but ultimately the rains win out. This arrangement is at times mysterious, somewhat ominous, constantly introspective and deeply soulful.

“Riptides” explores the fears of life and the fear of the unknown within the setting of the ocean. The piece begins with a call to the sea and develops into its melody, which is surrounded by a scheme of danger. As “Riptides” continues, the energy races through this quality of danger and fear, represented by a mermaid call. The piece is built on eccentric percussion instruments such as the conch shell horn, ocean drums and thumb rolls on the timpani and bass drum. Decorated elements such as dissonant textures and glissando techniques are used. As the frantic thrill continues to the pivotal point of the piece, “Riptides” takes a voyage to the deepest parts of the unknown – of the unfamiliar.

FSU is following CDC guidance based on current area conditions. For current health and safety guidelines, visit www.frostburg.edu/COVID19.

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

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