Purdue News
Purdue News
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Symphonic Band offers 'Celebration' at Long CenterWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Celebrating is what university homecomings are all about, and Purdue's Symphonic Band creates the perfect tone with Philip Sparke's "Celebration" at its 2:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St. Admission is free to the program, which helps bring Purdue's official 1999 Homecoming Weekend festivities to a close. Open to the public as well as Purdue students and alumni, the concert features the Purdue Symphonic Band, directed Jay Gephart, and the Fall Concert Band, directed by Marion "Mo" Trout. "Sparke's 'Celebration' is an upbeat, high-energy piece of music, and it's very colorful," Gephart said. The British composer specializes in compositions for big brass bands, and he wrote "Celebration" for the Tokyo Kosai Wind Orchestra. Music lovers with an affection for science fiction films will be treated to a host of familiar melodies from John Williams' "Stars Wars Trilogy" arranged by Donald Hunsberger. Among them are "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)," "Princess Leia's Theme," "Yoda's Theme," and the main "Star Wars Theme." "Shenandoah," the folk tune that inspired a Broadway musical, and Joseph Wagner's "Under the Double Eagle" complete the program. All of the Purdue Symphonic Band and Purdue Symphony Orchestra concerts this school year will be held in the newly renovated Long Center. Over the summer, the entire 1920s-era auditorium was repainted and its decorative trim covered in gold leaf. A dramatic series of half-moon lights, which had been covered by layers of paint and forgotten, were also restored in the process. Both Gephart and Lafayette Symphony conductor Anne Harrigan say the changes have not only improved the Long Center's looks, but also created a brighter instrumental sound that pleases them. "I love the acoustics at Long Center," Gephart said. "Our concerts there are part of a long-term effort to reach out to the community of Lafayette." The Symphonic and Fall Concert Bands boast a combined roster of 175 student musicians. They are part of Purdue University Bands, which has offered extracurricular musical opportunities to students for 113 years. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@schl-01.schl.purdue.edu
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