Purdue News

February 12, 1999 Purdue Bands spotlight high school music programs WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Lafayette Jefferson High School and Carmel High School are on tap to perform with the Purdue Symphonic Band and Purdue Symphony Orchestra in this spring's High School Honors Concerts at Purdue University on Feb. 28. "Indiana high schools have always supplied us with a new generation of talented musicians," said Jay Gephart, assistant professor and director of Purdue's Symphonic Band and Symphonic Orchestra. "In turn, Purdue Bands has established a variety of programs and events honoring excellence within high school programs." The High School Honors Program was established in 1995 to recognize exceptional high school musical programs throughout the state. The program provides the visiting young musicians with a chance to experience playing at the university level. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, the Purdue Symphony Orchestra will feature the Carmel High School Orchestra in a free concert at the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom. Under the direction of Tom Dick, the Carmel Orchestra became the 1998 Indiana State Orchestra champion. In addition, the Purdue Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with Purdue Musical Organizations' University Choir, under the direction of Ly Tartell, to perform works by Orff, Vaughan Williams and Bernstein. Guest soloist will be baritone Tim Noble, performing Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams. One of the world's leading baritones, Noble is a graduate of Butler University and Indiana University and is a regular performer with many of this country's top opera companies. This fall, Noble performed in Tel Aviv in the title role of Verdi's "Falstaff." He also will appear with Opera Omaha in "Aida" and will sing the role of Iago in a Netherlands Opera Company production of "Othello." At 7:30 p.m. that same day in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom, the Purdue Symphonic Band will honor one of Indiana's outstanding high school band programs with a free concert featuring the Lafayette Jefferson High School Symphonic Band. Through its history, this symphonic band has achieved high standards in both marching and concert work. The Jeff symphonic band has been a finalist at the Indiana State School Music Association band contest on numerous occasions and has performed at the RCA Dome as a Class A finalist in marching band competition. Tom Barker, the former bands instructor at Sunnyside Middle School in Lafayette, is in his first year as director of bands at Jeff High School. CONTACT: David Petuashvili, Band publicist, (765) 496-2697; e-mail: david_petuashvili@mgmt.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page