FALL SHOWCASE CONCERT NOV. 21

Central Wyoming College vocal and instrumental groups present a Fall Showcase Concert Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert A. Peck Arts Center Theatre.

The Community Band’s portion of the concert is entitled “Out of the Box,” and features music composed for the concert band that is either uncommon or uniquely set,” said director Jason Ogg.
The first selection, Instant Concert, features a “mash-up” of no less than 30 unique melodies set in just three minutes, Ogg said. Sun Cycles is in homage to Ra, the Egyptian Sun God, and Bridges was composed in 2007 as a tribute to the victims of the shooting on the Virginia Tech campus. The piece features a spoken word section comprised of a poem written by composer Samuel Hazo.
The fourth number, Tight Squeeze, is a unique piece that features concert band with pre-recorded digital accompaniment. The finale, National Emblem March, is composed by E.E. Bagley.

The CWC Handbell performs Fantasy on Restoration, which is a hymn taken from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, a compilation of shape note hymns and tunes by William “Singin’ Billy” Walker, said director Sharon Dalton. Originally printed in 1835, it contained 335 songs and became one of the most popular southern tune books of the 19th Century.

The handbell choir’s Come to the Opera! features music from Carmen by Bizet, I Puritani by Bellini, and Il Travatore by Verdi.

The CWC Collegiate Chorale, under the direction of Robert Hussa, sings I’m Goin’ Away, an American folk melody accompanied by Dalton on the piano. Ode to Music, a choral anthem by Eugene Butler is second on the program, followed by Set Me As a Seal, which is taken from the Song of Solomon. This composition was written by the composer to his wife when they both went through a family tragedy.

The final piece by the choir is Soon-ah Will Be Done by William Dawson, who served as the artistic director of the Tuskegee Institute Choir, an internationally renowned ensemble.
 
The concert is free and the public is welcome to attend.