From Basie to Broadway, Purdue Brass Choir plays it all April 15

April 8, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - From American hymn tunes to Hungarian folk melodies, from Broadway to Basie, the Purdue Brass Choir will showcase all sides of its personality in a 7 p.m. concert next Thursday (April 15) at University Church, Third and North Sts. Admission is free.

Ishbah Cox directs the Brass Choir, made up of 22 trumpets, horns, trombones, tubas, and euphoniums. All the musicians are members of other ensembles under the Purdue Bands & Orchestra umbrella.

Claude Smith's "Alleluia," a collection of six hymn tunes kicks off the concert, which includes music from several centuries. In "Susato Suite," a suite of Renaissance dances, the long-standing connection of brass instruments with the military is highlighted. Among Tylman Susato's folk melodies is a pavane adapted from a madrigal that attempts to imitate drums, cannons and the roar of battle.

Contemporary works on the concert range from John Williams' familiar theme from "Jurassic Park," played by a horn quartet, to two pieces written for the Dallas Brass by John Wasson. "Balloon Ride" is Wasson's jazz waltz, and "Basically Basie" is original music written in Count Basie's signature style.

"On Broadway," an arrangement by Jerry Nowak, captures the feeling of being in Times Square.

Flipping back to the late 19th century, the Brass Choir performs John Philip Sousa's "El Capitan" march. Sousa brought El Capitan to Broadway in 1895 as an operetta and it's believed to be the first musical by an American composer to enjoy a successful run there.

Bela Bartók, an early 20th century composer, is represented on the program by "Bartók for Brass" arranged by Frank Siekman. Bartók is best known for his use of Hungarian folk music to create a distinct individual style.

The concert also features the Rondeau from "Sinfonies of Fanfares" which is best known to the public as the theme from the BBC program "Masterpiece Theater."

The Brass Choir concert is sponsored by Purdue Bands & Orchestras. For information on upcoming events visit http://www.purdue.edu/bands
       
Contact:  Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands and Orchestra public relations, 765-496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu