Symphonic Band Concert Set for Dec. 7

by Richard Veit

Baylor University's Symphonic Band will present its second concert of the fall semester at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, in Jones Concert Hall. The performance will be under the direction of Michael Haithcock, professor of conducting and director of bands.
The 60-member Symphonic Band will open its concert with Edward Gregson's "The Sword and the Crown," commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1989. This period piece is in three movements, and graduate conductor Isaiah Odajima will conduct.
Ottorino Respighi wrote his "Huntingtower Ballad" in 1932--on a commission from the Edwin Franko Goldman Band -- in memory of John Philip Sousa, who had died on March 6 of that year. Jeffrey Grogan, assistant professor and associate director of bands, will conduct the Respighi.
Following will be John Corigliano's "Gazebo Dances" (1973), which was originally written for piano duet. American composer Wendell Yuponce's "It Takes a Village," which dates from 1997, was written in the spirit of the well-known African proverb. Edward Victor "Honey Boy" Cupero's most successful work, "Honey Boys on Parade," is a classic example of marches from this era.
Closing the Symphonic Band's concert will be Leroy Anderson's "A Christmas Festival," which he wrote during his days as arranger for Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor School of Music at 710-3991.