Band to tour

The Symphonic Band of Northwestern College will tour in the western U.S. during the college’s spring break March 7–17. Cities where they will perform include Reno, Nev., and the California communities of Cerritos, Chino, Chowchilla, Long Beach, Modesto, Redlands and Ripon. Visit www.nwciowa.edu/bandtour for concert times and details.

The band will present a workshop for the three high school bands in Compton, a suburb of Los Angeles, on March 14 and present a full concert with them that afternoon.

The Symphonic Band’s touring concert features an international theme. Pieces include a Celtic rendition of Amazing Grace, Variations on America by Charles Ives, Spanish march Amparito Roca, Colonial Song by Australian composer Percy Granger, and All Hail the Power, written by five composers for a friend.

The concert concludes with a major work, Gloriosa, a “symphonic poem for band” by Japanese composer Yasuhide Ito. The 20-minute piece is a historical reflection on Asian Christians who were persecuted and eventually went underground to continue worshipping.

Northwestern’s Symphonic Band includes 58 instrumentalists and has performed across the U.S. and in Central and South America. The ensemble is conducted by Dr. Timothy McGarvey, professor of music, who has been on Northwestern’s faculty since 1989.

The band will perform its home concert in Northwestern’s Christ Chapel on Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.