Darrah Walker
Lantern Staff
The final band concert has arrived, and the students are preparing to leave the crowd pleased and wanting more.
Most of the ensembles started preparing the music early in the semester, as some students were also involved in the Pep Band. With what seems like “little time,” the students are busy with rehearsal three days out of the week and personal practice outside of rehearsal. On Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. the band will step on stage and perform.
Professor of Instrumental Music Brett Martinez conducts seven ensembles: Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Show Band, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble and Flute Ensemble. Each group performs at least once with different styles of music to play for the audience, which is expected to be around an hour-and-a half concert.
The Jazz Ensemble and Show Band began rehearsing several different pieces early in the semester. With just a couple more weeks, they will now select a few that sound good together to perform for the audience. The selection for Concert Band is different, as Martnez takes his time to pick music for the students.
“The material tends to be more labor intensive, particularly this semester,” Martinez said. “One of the pieces that we are doing is about {a} 13 to 14-minute piece by itself.”
Martinez explains the expected 13 to 14-minute piece, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas,” to be one of the most fun songs performed. The piece is one of the most difficult pieces this concert, as there are dozens of style changes throughout the song.
“…everything from mambo to tango to movie soundtrack style music, …., you name it [“Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” covers it],” Martinez said.
The Pep Band Director John Templin gets a chance to conduct a piece with Concert Band called “The Winds of Change.” With Templin conducting a piece with Concert Band, it gives him a chance to work with the students and critique little details. Templin gets a chance every spring concert to conduct a piece with Concert Band.
Many solos will be performed throughout the whole concert. All Jazz Ensemble and Show Band students have expressed more interest in performing solos, which means everyone interested will get a chance to do a small solo. Martinez shared how when he asked the students who wanted a solo, the majority of the students’ hands shot up in the air.
The whole concert is expected to be enjoyable, especially with the final piece that will be performed.
“The upcoming band concert will be a treat, not only for your ears, but for your eyes as well,” freshman Mackenzie Cronk said.
Concert Band is expecting to impress the audience with a surprise during the end piece, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas.” In order to find out what the surprise is, attend the concert and be wowed. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office. For more information, patrons can call (316) 322-3262.
