UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Concert Band and Symphonic Band will present their annual December concerts at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, in Eisenhower Auditorium. The Concert Band begins the program, performing works by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, Belgian composer Pierre Leemans, and American composer Leroy Anderson. The Concert Band is conducted by wind conducting graduate student Brett Penshorn.
The performance of the Symphonic Band features American composer Charles Ives' "Variations on 'America'" and Alfred Reed's "Russian Christmas Music." The Symphonic Band is conducted by Director of Concert Bands Dennis Glocke.
Tickets are general $12, students $4. Buy tickets in advance for School of Music concerts in Eisenhower Auditorium and save 40 percent. There is no limit on the number. Purchases made the the day of the concert are not eligible. Tickets are available at any Arts Ticket Center location, by phone at 814-863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX, or online at Penn State Arts Ticket Center.
This concert is also available via livestream at the Penn State School of Music website.
Concert Band Program
Allegro Barbaro - Béla Bartók, arranged by Tom Wallace
Chorale and Shaker Dance II - John Zdechlik
The Willows of Winter - BJ Brooks
Marche des Parachutistes Belges (March of the Belgian Paratroopers) - Pierre Leemans, arranged by Charles Wiley
Song of Lir - Fergal Carroll
The Rakes of Mallow - Leroy Anderson
Symphonic Band Program
Scarecrow Overture - Joseph Turrin
Variations on "America" - Charles Ives, arranged by William Schuman and William Rhoads
Russian Christmas Music - Alfred Reed
The Concert Band performs the finest in traditional and contemporary literature composed or transcribed for the concert band medium. It performs concerts in Eisenhower Auditorium. The Concert Band is open to all students, regardless of major. An audition is required in the spring semester, but not in the fall. Spring semester auditions take place during the first week of classes. Please click http://blueband.psu.edu/concert/audition.php for more information.
The Symphonic Band is a select band that utilizes the full resources of the large wind/percussion ensemble to perform outstanding works from the concert band repertory. Members of the 80-piece ensemble are selected by audition during the first week of classes each semester. The Symphonic Band presents several concerts each semester in the 2,600-seat Eisenhower Auditorium. Like all Penn State bands, the Symphonic Band is open to all students, regardless of major.