Baylor Symphonic Band Concert Set for April 21

Baylor University's Symphonic Band will present its second and final concert of the spring semester at 8 p.m. Monday, April 21, in Jones Concert Hall. Gerald Luckhardt, associate professor of bands, will conduct.
The Symphonic Band will open the program with John Philip Sousa's "The Thunderer," which was written in 1889 in honor of the Knights Templar of Washington, D.C., a fraternal organization of which Sousa was an active member.
American composer Ira Hearshen wrote an entire symphony on themes by Sousa, and its second movement is based on "The Thunderer." This movement will be played by the Symphonic Band immediately after its performance of the march itself.
Karel Husa composed his "Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble" in a tonal style designed to illustrate traditional Czech dance rhythms and melodies, but in a contemporary setting. The third movement, "Allegro, ma non troppo," will be heard at this concert.
"Early Light" was written two years ago by Carolyn Bremer. The work borrows elements from our national anthem to depict a baseball fan's eager anticipation of the first pitch. Michael Haithcock, director of bands, will conduct this piece.
Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom will be represented on the concert by one of his 12 "Gospel Preludes for Organ." The prelude on "What a Friend We Have in Jesus!" was later arranged by Bradley A. Bombardier and premiered in 1995.
Director of bands and chair of the music department at Doane College in Crete, Neb., is Jay Gilbert--a former director of the Baylor Golden Wave Band. Gilbert composed his "Suite Divertimento" on a commission from the Lewisville High School Symphonic Band. It premiered early last year at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
Baylor's Symphonic Band concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor School of Music at 755-3991.