Band and Wind Ensemble to present concert Sunday

The DePauw University Band and Wind Ensemble will present its first concert of the 2013-14 season this Sunday, Sept. 22 as part of Family Weekend on campus.

The concert, conducted by Craig Paré, will take place at 3 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium, located in the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts, 605 S. College Ave.

Works for full symphonic band, as well as chamber winds, include the "Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare" by Richard Strauss; "Vox Populi" by Richard Danielpour; "Slavonic Dance No. 3" by Antonin Dvorak; "Pacem" by Robert Spittal; "Suite in D" by Arthur Bird; "Blue Shades" by Frank Ticheli, which will feature principal band clarinetist Dan Hickey; and the "Polka and Fugue" from "Schwanda the Bagpiper" by Jaromir Weinberger.

Conductor Paré characterizes the ensemble's diverse concert program as more of an eclectic than a single-theme program.

"It's kind of like a cold shower for the students," he quips. "We move from one piece to the next very quickly, which forces them to really work.

"It's a difficult repertoire, and the students have to assimilate it all -- right at the top of the semester after having been an ensemble for just a few weeks. Technically these are challenging pieces, and they are sophisticated in style also, from Slavonic dances to a New Orleans jazz influence."

Professor Paré adds, "We heard some exceptional students during auditions this fall, which is great because this class will be doing a recording in April 2014 that will feature three of our faculty soloists -- Carla Edwards, Eric Edberg and Randy Salman -- and we are really looking forward to performing another ambitious piece, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," with faculty pianist Claude Cymerman on Nov. 24."

General admission tickets for DePauw University Band performances in the Green Center for the Performing Arts are $3; tickets for students, seniors and children are free.

In lieu of an admission fee, audience members may donate non-perishable food items for the benefit of the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry. Monetary donations to the food pantry will also be accepted.

For more information, visit the School of Music online events calendar (www.depauw.edu/music/schedule), or stop by the box office on the first floor of the Green Center. Persons are also invited to call 658-4817 or visit www.depauw.edu/music/tickets.