Evening of music showcases college’s music department, community band and choir
An evening packed with music is planned May 3 to spotlight ensembles from Flathead Valley Community College's music department, the Flathead Valley Community Band and the Columbia Falls Community Choir.
The first segment of the night begins at 5 p.m. at the Wachholz College Center. First to perform will be the FVCC Chamber Orchestra conducted by Kyara Nelsen and the FVCC Clarinet Trio directed by Maxine Ramey.
The chamber orchestra will perform “Spanish Winds” by Joseph Nicholas Fried and “Sudden Light” by modern composer Pamela Harrington. The Clarinet Trio will play an arrangement from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons Spring,” in addition to other chamber pieces.
At 6 p.m., the FVCC Jazz Combo is set to perform “Minor Swing,” “Splanky” and “Autumn Leaves.” The FVCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Nicole Sanford, will perform “A Nightingale Sang in Barkly Square” and “Stolen Moments.” The FVCC Choir Ensemble, also directed by Sanford, will play selections from J. S. Bach’s “Magnificat.” Next, the FVCC Percussion Ensemble, directed by Brian Phillips, will play “Cognition” by Kyle Peters and Fred Emory Smith’s “Suite No. 1.”
The final segment of the night begins at 7:30 pm and features the Flathead Valley Community Band and Columbia Falls Community Choir.
The Flathead Valley Community Band, directed by Allen Slater and Matt King, will feature energetic pieces that bring out the promise of a new beginning — starting with the Norwegian march “Valdres” written by Johannes Hanssen, followed by “Hounds of Spring” by Alfred Reed, an exciting rhythmic overture for band in the fast-slow-fast format of early 18th-century Italian opera overtures. The band will then play “Rhosymedre,” also known as “Lovely,” by Ralph Vaughn Williams, which is based on a well-known Welsh hymn tune. The band concludes with one of Williams’ popular marches, “Midway March.”
The 50-voice Columbia Falls Community Choir directed by Steven Holte will present songs to inspire hope and encouragement. Maryruth Fallon will accompany the choir on stage. Selections include John Rutter's “Lord of the Dance,” followed by “The World of Our Dreams,” accompanied by oboist Luci Yeats and soloist Craig Blair. Next, the choir will sing “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “Over the Rainbow,” finishing with the spiritual, “Shout Glory,” which is sure to get toes tapping.
The evening concludes with the combined band and choir selection “Can’t Buy Me Love,” arranged by Audrey Snyder and Paul Murtha. The timeless quality of music by The Beatles shines through in this paced medley of hits including “Here Comes the Sun,” “In My Life” and “Can't Buy Me Love.”
The Wachholz College Center is located on the FVCC campus.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.wachholzcollegecenter.org or by calling 756-1400. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets cost $5 for K-12 students and seniors and $10 for general admission. Admission is free to FVCC students.