GC&SU Concert Band performing new pieces

By Robin Henderson
Staff Writer

The GC&SU Concert Band will be performing pieces composed by their guest conductor, Steven Reineke.
The Concert Band will also be performing a piece composed by the school’s own Dr. Richard Greene. The performance will be Thursday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. in the Russell Auditorium.
This concert marks the first time the concert band has invited a composer to conduct its performance. Dr. Todd Shiver, GC&SU director of bands, said the guidance from Reineke has been helpful.
“When you’re working on a piece, it’s an educated guess of what the composer intended. We have direction straight from the horse’s mouth. We also have inside information about what inspired him to write it,” said Shiver.
Some of Reineke’s pieces to be performed are “Portrait of Freedom” and “Into the Raging River.” “Portrait of Freedom” was composed in October of 2001 as a tribute to the spirit of America. It honors police officers, fire fighters and members of the armed forces. “Into the Raging River” was inspired from a whitewater rafting trip in West Virginia. The piece has several sections that portray the thrills of the Gauley River.
Reineke will be explaining these pieces and more before he conducts the band in performing them. Shiver said that having Reineke introduce each piece will make the performance even more interesting for the audience.
Reineke is the music assistant and principal arranger/composer for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in Ohio. He has conducted with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Toronto Symphony and many others. Some of his orchestral compositions include “Diamond Fanfare” and “Vazquez Ridge.”
Some of the concert band members have played Reineke’s music in other performances and welcomed the chance to meet him.
“My favorite part about the concert is playing under the baton of Reineke. He is one of my favorite composers,” said Tammy Coffey, a clarinet player.
“We are playing some music that is very new by Reineke,” said Will Dennison, a French horn player.
Dawnne Marto, a euphonium player, added, “The music is very challenging but it’s fun to play.”
Besides Reineke’s compositions, the concert band will perform Greene’s piece titled “Transcantations.” Greene is the chair of the department of Music and Theater. His piece was debuted at the Gulf Coast New Music Festival in Mobile, Ala. Members of the band said the performance went well.
“It was a treat to be in the band that premiered it,” added Dennison.
Greene’s “Transcantations” reflects the ups and downs of school and education. It was partly inspired by his experiences of attending a boarding school.
“Different variations in the music represent different aspects of school life,” said Coffey.
“He’s been influenced by certain things, and he’s trying to portray them,” said Shiver.
Admission to the Concert Band performance is free. For more information call 445-4226.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 22 2002. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry