Winds and Classics

“Winds and Classics” Will Uplift the Audience on April 6, 2023

Woodwind, brass and percussion instruments will be featured when student musicians perform the “Winds and Classics” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2023, in the Lyceum Concert Hall at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville. 

The concert is free but audience members need tickets because of space limitations. Call the Santa Fe Box Office at 352-395-4181 or visit the Showpass link for tickets at:
https://www.showpass.com/winds-and-classics-2/

“Our performances are a great representation of our Fine Arts Department—they’re designed for you to enjoy, and the students work hard to prepare for performing in front of an audience,” explained Associate Professor of Music and Band Director David L. Smith, who will conduct the 11 students in the Santa Fe Winds. “Like all the arts, music inspires us and uplifts us. At this concert, you’ll hear some great music to put you in a good mood!” 

The “Winds and Classics” program includes five selections of art music, which is music written by composers who study complex harmonies and forms, from the early 20^th century up to the present. The program includes “March from the First Suite in E Flat for Military Band” (1909) by Gustav Holst, “Russian Sailors Dance” (1927) by Reinhold Gliere, and “Yorkshire Ballad” (1984) by James Barnes.

“Holst may be best known for ‘The Planets’ but he was also one of the first composers to write serious music for military bands,” Smith said. “Others followed in his footsteps, but he started that trend.”

The music in “Russian Sailors Dance,” from the ballet “The Red Poppy,” evokes the clumsy movements of sailors as they begin to dance and evolves into exhilaration and excitement as they finish the dance with an enthusiastic rush. “Yorkshire Ballad,” inspired by folk composer Percy Grainger’s “Irish Tune from County Derry,” is a simple medley supported by counterlines and colorful harmonies.

Although some of the students in the ensemble are music majors who will pursue professional careers, Smith said most of the students joined the group because they love music and want to keep playing after their experiences in high school bands. “Our bands are open to anyone who plays an instrument and loves music,” Smith said.

“Winds and Classics” is organized and sponsored by the Santa Fe College Fine and Performing Arts and Entertainment Technology Department. For more information about the concert, call Smith at 352-395-5313. For more information about tickets, call the SF Box Office at 352-395-4181.