Brennan AngelA night of musical talent and synchronization will harmonize in Harman Hall at The Performing Arts Center, as more than 200 Cal Poly students present the annual Bandfest concert at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Sponsored by Cal Poly’s music and athletics departments, the College of Liberal Arts and the Instructionally Related Activities program, Bandfest is dubbed as simply “Out of this World.” The Cal Poly Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and the Mustang Marching Band will take the stage to present a collection of celebrated musical compositions.
“(Bandfest) is the only opportunity the public has to hear these outstanding groups perform on the same concert,” said William Johnson, Cal Poly music professor and instrumental music coordinator.
“It is also an opportunity for the students to give a public performance of the music they have been studying since the beginning of the quarter.”
Bandfest has been a fall tradition at Cal Poly for 41 years, Johnson said. All three ensembles perform in several different musical styles, and no two pieces sound the same.
“A wide variety of music will be played from many eras and genres,” said Colin McKinney, electrical engineering senior and president of the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. “From the classic rock arrangements played by the Mustang Marching Band in full uniform, to contemporary wind band music played by the Wind Orchestra and Ensemble, or swinging jazz music played by the University Jazz bands, everybody will be able to enjoy themselves at the concert.”
McKinney plays the oboe and English horn in the Wind Ensemble, the euphonium in the marching band, and a “really bad guitar.” He started playing the alto sax in fifth grade and picked up the oboe in eighth grade. He learned to play the euphonium during his sophomore year at Cal Poly.
The Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will collaborate to feature Symphony
No. 1, “The Divine Comedy,” a recognized piece by composer Robert W. Smith. Other highlights include Frank Ticheli’s “Vesuvius,” a musical description of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii, and a composition by Richard Wagner written in 1865 to honor King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The Wind Ensemble will perform a new work by Dutch composer Hardy Mertens titled “Winanga-li.” Inspired by an Australian folklore, the work includes chants and sounds describing the beauty of its indigenous people.
In addition, the 130-strong Mustang Marching Band will perform several compositions by Ernesto Lecuona, Harold Arlen, Chick Corea and a special memorial to Luciano Pavarotti in Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma.”
Each year, the Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble performs and tours at several local, national, and sometimes international concerts. Past tour destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Carnegie Hall and an 18-day European tour of Hungary, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Bandfest is an opportunity for Cal Poly students to showcase their honed musical talents.
Music sophomore Paula Womble has been playing the piano for 14 years and plays for the Wind Ensemble. Womble said she was born with long fingers and her dad told her she was going to play the piano. She took lessons throughout her schooling and is currently studying piano with the head of Cal Poly’s music department.
“I hope that people will have a great and relaxing evening hearing music performed by fellow students,” Womble said.
Tickets range from $8 to $19. Discounts are available to students and those who buy tickets to four or more music department events for the 2007-08 year.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone call 756-2787.