Purdue bands to offer weekend full of performances

All three events are free and open to the public.

Jazz on the Hill, an outdoor concert at Slayter Center, opens the weekend of music. From 5-8 p.m. April 21, there will be continuous music with four jazz bands and three jazz combos on the performing schedule.

Purdue's Lab Jazz Band opens things up, followed by the Concert Jazz Band, the Harrison High School Jazz Band and the Purdue Jazz Band. Chammon, made up of members from the Purdue Jazz Band, and other combos will perform in between big band sets.

Several of the combos will feature original tunes written by members. Highlights from the big band sets include Pat Metheny's "It's Just Talk," "Moondance" based on the 1970 Van Morrison hit and "The Letter," a jazz take on the rock and roll classic made famous by Joe Cocker.

"Usually this annual concert ends in the dark, but thanks to daylight-saving time, our Jazz on the Hill concert now has more light, more warmth, more jazz and more fun," said M.T. "Mo" Trout, director of Purdue's jazz bands.

The April 22 Purdue Bands Showcase I Concert begins at 8 p.m. in Elliott Hall of Music and features guest composer/conductor Frank Ticheli. He will conduct Varsity Band and Collegiate Band as they perform several of his original compositions as part of the program.

Ticheli, whose music has been described as being "optimistic and thoughtful" by the Los Angeles Times, "lean and muscular" by the New York Times and "brilliantly effective" by the Miami Herald, is well known for his works for concert band. Many of his pieces have become standards in the repertoire. In addition to composing, he has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world.

With Varsity Band, Ticheli will present "Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs" and with the Collegiate Band he'll conduct "Fortress."

The composer/conductor will return on Sunday's concert. Purdue Bands Showcase II Concert, set for 2:30 p.m. April 23 at Elliott Hall, features David A. Leppla's final appearance with the Purdue Concert Band prior to his retirement as well as performances by the Purdue Symphonic Band and Purdue Symphony Orchestra.

"Vesuvius," a Ticheli work inspired by the legendary volcano, will be featured in the Purdue Concert Band portion of the program, while the Symphonic Band will perform Ticheli's "Blue Shades." Jay S. Gephart, director of the Symphonic Band, said the band has a surprise up its sleeve for audiences on April 23 with the premiere of another composer's work to be announced at the concert.

Gephart also directs the orchestra that will feature Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" in its set.

For information on Purdue University Bands, its programs and events, call (765) 496-6785. The final concert of the season for Purdue Bands, "The Great Marimba Races," will feature Purdue's percussionists and will take place at 2:30 p.m. April 30 in Loeb Playhouse. Admission is free.

Writer: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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