FSU to Host Honor Band Festival Concert

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will host the Honor Band Festival Concert on Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The Honor Band features outstanding high school musicians from the Maryland region, and the concert is the culmination of the High School Honor Band Festival that will take place on FSU’s campus over the course of the weekend. In consideration of families that can’t travel to see the concert, 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 any time during the recital, to view the live performance.

Conducted by Peter Lewis, the Honor Band will perform “Appalachian Overture” by James Barnes, “Urban Dances” by Erik Morales, “Wilderness” by Cait Nishimura, “With Every Winter’s Breath” by Randall Standridge and “Groove Music” by Brian Balmages.

The energetic piece, “Appalachian Overture,” appears on many state-required lists and is among the prestigious All-Japan Top 100 band pieces. It is based on folk-like melodies and features playable solo passages.

Drawing inspiration from elements of today’s popular music, “Urban Dances” is a serious concert piece that focuses on rhythm as the primary developmental tool. Featuring a large battery of percussion, the piece uses the full gamut of colors available to the concert band.

“Wilderness” celebrates and honors Earth’s remaining wild spaces and the people who fight to protect them. Through this music, Nishimura explores the range of emotions she experiences as an environmentalist. This piece is a call to action to do one’s part in spreading awareness about climate change, reflect on one’s relationship with nature and deepen respect for the stewards of this land.

In the moving tribute piece, “With Every Winter’s Breath,” Standridge has created a gorgeous band work inspired by the idea that even after death, a person’s memory can inspire, comfort and influence our daily lives. A poignant original melody and “Go Tell It on a Mountain” are both used to memorialize Maddie Milner, a trumpet player in the Bayfield, Colo., High School band, who died in a skiing accident her freshman year.

As suggested in its title, “Groove Music” is a piece that focuses on various combinations of rhythms. The first section introduces the groove, layering instruments and changing textures. A thicker, more playful groove is introduced in the second section. Both ideas come together in the final section, concluding with a spectacular wall of color and rhythm.

Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, members of the military and FSU faculty and staff, and free for all students and children. Reserve tickets at https://frostburgtix.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2020. Tickets will also be available at the door.

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