December 14 , 2005

Concert to feature centennial anthem premier

MARYVILLE, Mo. - “Traditions and Transitions” a specially commissioned anthem composed in honor of Northwest’s 100th year, will receive its world premier performance at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Performing Arts Center on campus.

The hour-long concert, which features a number of Northwest musical ensembles, is free and open to the public.

Dr. Paul Brink, professor of theory and composition at the University of Louisville School of Music composed the anthem. The work, to be performed by Northwest’s Wind Symphony and Tower Choir, features lyrics by Brink’s fellow Kentuckian Dee Wade, a noted writer of inspirational verse and prose.

Brink’s other recent creative endeavors include original compositions for band, orchestra, chorus, brass, organ and various chamber ensembles along with commissioned arrangements for the Louisville Orchestra’s Super Pops.

Carl Kling, assistant professor of music and director of bands at Northwest, said “Traditions and Transitions” pays tribute to the many contributions and achievements of students, faculty and staff over the past 100 years.

“I think this music illustrates that the whole centennial celebration reflects the idea that one generation builds on the accomplishments of the last,” Kling said. “To me, that ties into the whole concept of the Northwest family.”

Kling explained that Wade’s lyrics “evoke the image of a river, and there’s never really a beginning or an end to the way a river flows. Each step along the way is unique, but we only progress because of what came before.”

Two additional selections planned for the “prism” concert – a format in which continuous music is played from a variety of performance spaces – also have ties to the University.

“Centennial Fanfare,” an arrangement for trumpet ensemble, was composed earlier this year by Dr. William Richardson, assistant professor of music. “Golden Anniversary March,” which will be performed by the Wind Symphony, was written in 1955 by former Director of Bands Earle Moss to commemorate Northwest’s 50th year.

Other selections and ensembles will include “Cindy” by the Celebration Show Choir; Arthur Frackenpohl’s arrangement of “Ragtime Suite” for saxophone quartet; “The American Frontier,” a selection of traditional melodies performed by the Northwest Orchestra; two pieces, “Sing Sang Sung” by Gordon Goodwin and “Puro Gallo” by Craig Biandi, featuring the Northwest Jazz Ensemble; and Darius Milhaud’s “La Cheminée du Roi René” arranged for woodwind quartet.

Directors and conductors for the evening include Richardson (Trumpet and Jazz Ensembles); Kling (Wind Symphony and Orchestra); Larry Williams, string coach (Orchestra); and Dr. Stephen Town, professor of music (Tower Choir).

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