WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University bands and orchestras will kick off their 2009-10 concert season during homecoming weekend.

Orchestras will perform its Homecoming Concert Saturday (Oct. 3) in the Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. The Purdue Symphonic and Concert bands will perform a tribute to “Main Street USA” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, also at the Long Center. Admission to both events is free.

From the galloping rhythms of Rossini’s famous “William Tell Overture” to Mendelssohn’s Fifth Symphony, which paraphrases the hymn tune “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in its finale, the Purdue orchestras will showcase a variety of classical music during its Saturday event.

Both Purdue orchestras will be featured under the baton of Andrew King. The Purdue Philharmonic will perform Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” The unique piece takes one melody and explores different ways of playing it, each way influenced by the preferences of a friend or, in one case, a dog close to the British composer. “Enigma Variations” secured Elgar’s reputation as a composer of national, even international, standing and remains one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire, King says.

Before tackling Mendelssohn’s Fifth or “Reformation” Symphony, the Purdue Symphony opens its portion of the program with a “Hi Ho Silver and Away.” Those words will leap to audience’s minds when they hear Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” which became famous in the 20th century as the theme to “The Lone Ranger.”

Felix Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony, written in 1829, is a highly original piece of religious music depicting the triumph of Protestantism. In its fast stormy first movement, Mendelssohn musically depicts an intense spiritual struggle away from Catholicism. The finale, written as a celebration opens with the Lutheran chorale “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Bands concert

Nearly every element of fall in America, from festivals and Friday night football to walks down picturesque country lanes, will be described musically in “Main Street USA,” the bands’ concert on Sunday.

Two John Phillip Sousa marches, David Moore’s “Small Town Sketches,” Charles Ives’ “Variations on America” and Broadway composer Robert Russell Bennett’s “Autobiography Part 1″ set the tone for the afternoon of music by American composers.

“Small Town Sketches,” the concert opener performed by Fall Concert Band under the direction of Ishbah Cox presents a series of musical pictures ranging from “Friday Night Football” to “Winter Walk” and from “County Fair” to “Concert in the Park.” The group also performs another highly descriptive work, “Down a Country Lane,” by Aaron Copland.

“Students are embracing many different styles on this concert from classical to Broadway,” says Jay Gephart, conductor of the Purdue Symphonic Band. “They move from one to another very easily, which shows a great deal of maturity as musicians.”

Although influenced by folk and traditional music, Ives was no stranger to compositional techniques of the 20th century, which are showcased in the Symphonic Band’s performance of “Variations on America.”

Symphonic Band also tackles Robert Russell Bennett’s “Autobiography Part 1″ at the Oct. 3 concert and will present “Part 2″ at a subsequent concert.

“H. Owen Reed’s ‘Heart of the Morn’ adds a nice balance to the other pieces on the program,” says Gephart. “It’s just a beautiful chorale based on the poem ‘Michigan Morn.’ ”

“Main Street USA” is presented by Purdue Bands & Orchestras. For more information on upcoming events visit www.purdue.edu/bands

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In their final performance of the 2008-2009 season, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra presents “Spanish Fiesta” on Saturday, April 25th. Spanish Fiesta is a celebration of the Latin rhythms by composers like Gershwin, Rodrigo, Galindo and more. Classical guitarist, Jason Vieaux, is the guest artist and will perform the solo during Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.

Vieaux is expanding the definition of “Classical Guitarist” with over 50 performance dates internationally this season. He has eight recordings to his credit and many more to come. Vieaux is the youngest First Prize winner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of American International Competition, and was honored as the Artistic Ambassador of the U.S. to Southeast Asia. The LSO will be performing a variety of symphonic works from Cuba and Mexico, while Vieaux joins in with a work from Spain.

Join the LSO for a fiesta after the show with complimentary appetizers and a chance to meet Jason Vieaux in person.

Tickets: Adults $17-35, Senior (65+) $15-32, Students $8-15
Location: Long Center for Performing Arts, Downtown Lafayette, Indiana
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2009. 7:30p curtain.

Program:
GERSHWIN – Cuban Overture
RODRIGO – Concierto de Aranjuez (Jason Vieaux, guitar)
GALINDO – Sounds of the Mariachis
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol
RAVEL – Bolero

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — IN THE MOOD is coming to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 North Sixth Street, Lafayette on Thursday, March 19th with its 13-piece big band orchestra and 6 singer/swing dancers performing the songs of the 1940s. Presented by Artbeat, a Washington not-for-profit arts presenter.

This retro 1940s musical captures the music that moved a nation’s spirit and helped win a war. More than a concert, IN THE MOOD is a Big Band Theatrical Swing Revue that brings to life the era when all of America was listening and dancing to the same kind of music: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskin Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and other greats of the 1940’s. The show has a company of 22 including the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the sensational String of Pearls big band orchestra on stage, and to quote the theater director at Luther College, “the show’s arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets!”

Reserved seats cost $25.50 to $35.50, plus ticketing fees and can be purchased at www.longcentertheater.com or by phone 765-742-5664. The Long Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5 pm and is located at 111 North Sixth Street.

IN THE MOOD takes a look at the life and time of America’s greatest generation. This was a generation where everyone listened and danced to the same style of music which ranged from up-tempo big band rhythms to mellow intimate ballads, and inspired America with a vision for the future filled with hope, promise and prosperity. This was a time like no other in our Nation’s history, a time when music moved the Nation’s spirit. Come experience the swing, rhythm, jazzy, brassy, sentimental and romantic music of this important time.

IN THE MOOD began as a celebration of an unusual era in American music, the 1940s…..the Swing Era. On radio, in theaters and ballrooms, the Big Bands were drawing record crowds. Vocal groups and soloists sang a repertory of great songs, and for the last time in the 20th century, the entire country shared a common popular music. This body of song did much to sustain national morale during World War II, the pivotal event of the 40’s.

A great deal of attention is paid to authenticity and detail: The wigs and make-up are carefully researched for the era and many of the arrangements were commissioned to Vic Schoen who was the arranger for the Andrews Sisters. Many of the costumes are in fact actual uniforms from World War II.

The National Archives in Washington, DC brought IN THE MOOD to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWII, and the response was extraordinary, with crowds lining up for hours before curtain time. The engagement was twice extended to extra performances.

In 1993, the Archives presented a repeat performance, out-of-doors on Constitution Avenue. Thousands attended, and many stayed to dance the night away. As a result, IN THE MOOD, in affiliation with the USO, began a series of tours which played to audiences across the United States during the 50th Commemoration of WWII. The show’s association with the National Archives and the USO was altogether appropriate, for much of the underpinning research was drawn from resources of these national organizations.

Since then, IN THE MOOD has visited Europe and in 1997, the band and singers were selected to be part of the entertainment for the 53rd Presidential Inauguration Ball. Touring since 1994, the show’s upcoming national and international performances will continue to portray the spirit of the music that moved the nation.

IN THE MOOD was developed by Washington, DC musical producer, Bud Forrest.

The Lafayette Performance is sponsored in part by WLFI – 18 and the Journal & Courier.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Long Center for the Performing Arts will host a screening of “Elf” with hot cocoa from Kathy’s Homemade Kandies at approximately 4:30 PM, immediately following Lafayette’s Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 7.

Elf stars Will Ferrell, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, and Ed Asner as Santa, and is the story of a very, very large, misfit elf in Santa’s Workshop who discovers he is not who he thinks, and sets out to find his real family.

Tickets will be available at the door at the Long Center, 111 N. 6th Street in Downtown Lafayette, and are $5 for adults and $2 for children 5-12. Children under 5 are free.

Information is available by calling Long Center Operations Manager Shannon Sabel at 765-742-5664.