Northwestern College ensembles to perform

Northwestern College’s Symphonic Band will present a concert titled “Freedom to Flourish” on Friday, Nov. 13, and three chamber ensembles will perform Friday, Dec. 11. Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel and are free and open to the public.

Directed by Dr. Angela Carlson, associate professor of music, the Symphonic Band will explore the theme of freedom through a program inspired by John 8:31–36, which includes Jesus’ words, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The concert will open with Ryan Nowlin’s “Let Freedom Ring,” an arrangement of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” that honors the sacrifices of those who have gone before. Other selections include William Schuman’s “Chester,” based on a popular song of the American Revolution, and Robert W. Smith’s “Inchon,” which commemorates the Korean War. The program will also feature “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” arranged by Jess L. Turner, and conclude with David Maslanka’s “Give Us This Day,” reflecting on the ultimate freedom found through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Dec. 11 concert will feature Northwestern’s percussion ensemble, directed by Peter Carlson, and string and piano ensembles, directed by Dr. Juyeon Kang, professor of music. The percussion ensemble will perform a variety of music featuring drums, keyboards and other percussion instruments. Highlights include Murray Houllif’s arrangement of “The William Tell Overture,” Ian Smith’s “God Rest Ye Little Drummer Boy” and Harold Prentice’s “Sounds of the City.”

Northwestern’s string quartet will perform selections by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonín Dvorák, and the piano quartet will present a piece by Robert Schumann. The performances will highlight the evolution of chamber music, from Mozart’s refined classical style to the rich, expressive compositions of Dvorák and Schumann.