UM symphonic, concert bands present annual concert today

ORONO — The University of Maine Symphonic Band, under the baton of Curvin Farnham, director of bands, and the University of Maine Concert Band, conducted by Christopher White, director of sports and concert bands, present their annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Hutchins Concert Hall, Maine Center for the Arts.

The Concert Band opens the program with traditional band music, including “Cajun Folk Song Suite” by Ticheli, “Down a Country Lane” by Copland and “National Emblem March” by Bagley. Graduate Student Director Paul Santerre of Manchester, N.H., conducts “American Folk Rhapsody, Number 2” by Grundman. The Concert Band is open to all students who play a band instrument.

Following intermission, the Symphonic Band performs a program of band literature selected from the past 50 years. The program includes “Dedication Overture” by Giannini, “Divertimento for Winds and Percussion” by Cichy and “Daddish” by Francis McBeth. Assistant Conductor Jeffrey Priest, director of band at Old Town High School, will perform the euphonium solo “Romanze” by Gords, arranged by Eric Whitacre.

The Symphonic Band includes more than 50 instrumentalists chosen from students of all academic disciplines by audition.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or through the Maine Center for the Arts Box Office at 581-1755 or (800) 622-8499.