It’s getting to be that time of year for the Mercyhurst D’Angelo Department of Music.
With the halfway point of the semester rolling around, the various student bands and groups in the department are having their premier performances of the year, with the first of these being the wind ensemble concert.
The concert, to be held Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, is set to feature conducting work by a host of future music educators.
“It’s the music education majors’ concert, so it’s basically a student conductor’s concert,” said Scott Meier, Ph.D., wind ensemble director and music professor.
“They’ve chosen the pieces, they’re doing all of the rehearsals.
“It’s for the experience of the students. They’re doing the program, emceeing.”
Lauren Tucci, junior Music Education major; Rachel Kinlan, junior Music Education major; Emily Zbrzezny, junior Music Education major; Jake Bechter, senior Music Education major; Caitlyn Cressley, sophomore Music Education major; Martin Webster, senior Music major; Stephanie Dowling, senior Music Education major; and Ethan Wicker, sophomore Music Education major, are getting their chance to lead a wind band with this concert.
“It shows me how to rehearse, the gestures I need to do, the things I need to say,” said Tucci. “It helps me listen more (and)helps me listen more attentively.”
Meier listed off several of the selections that audience members can expect to hear.
Those include “Satiric Dances” by Norman Dello Joio, “Kentucky 1800” by Clare Grundman, “On a Childhood Hymn” by David Holsinger, “A Tribute to Granger” by Bill Doherty and “The Witch and the Saint” by Steven Reineke.
“All of this is easy high school, middle school music,” said Meier.
The concert begins at 4 p.m.
“It should be entertaining,” said Meier. “It’s an easy concert to listen to if you’re interested in a concert that’s fun and gives your brain neutral gear.”
If anyone is interested in joining the wind ensemble, Meier said, “All you have to do is come play for me.”
Tickets are available from the D’Angelo box office and are $5 for the general public and $2 for faculty, children and students with a Mercyhurst ID.