Purdue News

February 25, 2000 Concert to showcase Partners in Music program WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University Bands' new Partners in Music Education program, which offers a helping hand to high schools around the state, reaches out to the public Sunday, March 5, with two free concerts. At 2:30 p.m., symphony orchestras from Purdue and Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., will be featured in a joint concert at the Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Then at 7 p.m., symphonic bands from the two institutions will give a free concert, also in the Long Center. Concord High was chosen as the first "partner" in the pilot phase of the Partners in Music Education program because its band director has strong ties to Purdue. Max Jones is a member of Purdue Bands Advisory Board. In addition, "Concord has had one of the strongest music programs in the state for many years," said Jay Gephart, a Purdue assistant professor of bands. The program is a way of formalizing the outreach efforts that have long been a part of Purdue Bands' mission. "We were already doing outreach. This program just broadens our involvement," Gephart said. "The focus is not just on providing venues for concertizing, but on a much broader educational program." In future years, the program will be open, by application, to high schools around the state. Gephart said Purdue is particularly looking for high schools with multi-faceted instrumental music programs that can take full advantage the university's resources. The musical collaboration between Purdue and Concord High reaches its peak on March 5. The full day of music begins with Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty Suite" and Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" for string orchestra presented by the Concord Symphony, conducted by Karen Braden. The Purdue Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gephart, completes the afternoon program with Dvorak's "Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88." When the Concord Symphonic Band, under the direction of Jones, takes the stage, it will take the audience on a musical journey ranging from James Barnes' "Lonely Beach" to Eric Osterling's "Totem Pole" to Arthur Pryor's "Blue Bells of Scotland," which will feature Purdue Bands faculty member William Kisinger on euphonium. The Purdue Symphonic Band, also directed by Gephart, salutes the centennial of Aaron Copland's birth with "Down a Country Lane" and acknowledges the Chinese new year with Philip Sparke's "The Year of the Dragon." As part of the Concord partnership, the high school's jazz band participated in the Purdue Jazz Festival in January. Fulfilling another goal of the educational partnership, Purdue professors Marion "Mo" Trout and Gephart have traveled to Elkhart to work directly with Concord musicians. Purdue's Symphonic Band will travel to Elkhart on March 27 to perform in concert at Concord High. Kisinger again will be featured soloist at that event. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band also will perform at Concord in September. For more information about the Partners in Music Education program, call Gephart at (765) 494-7886 or Jones at (219) 875-6524. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page