UPEI Wind Symphony to perform
The University of Prince Edward Island Wind Symphony will perform its final recital of the Fall semester on Thursday, November 25 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. Steel Recital Hall.
Under the direction of Dr. Karem J. Simon, the UPEI Wind Symphony has been acclaimed for its performance standard and programming. Recent performances in Montague, PEI, New Glasgow and Truro, NS were very favorably received.
The 52 members of this year's ensemble consists of 24 music majors, other UPEI students, high school students, and community musicians. It is within its mission to give its audiences meaningful and personal experiences with quality wind music, in the widest possible range of musical style and expression.
Each year the Wind Symphony tours selected areas of the region to provide its membership with additional performance experiences and share its music with a wider audience. In 2001 the Wind Symphony was a featured guest performer at the Maritime Band Festival in Charlottetown. During the past twelve years the Wind Symphony has produced an annual compact disc featuring selected repertoire from each year's performances.
This Thursday's performance will feature an eclectic set of pieces designed to engage the audience and showcase the unique sounds of the wind band. Two of the principal works are Angels in the Architecture and Concertino for Four Percussion. Angels unfolds as a dramatic conflict between the two extremes of human existence - one divine, the other evil. Using a soprano soloist - unique for a wind band - the colors of the ensemble are exploited to represent the light and darkness of these opposing protagonists. The Concertino is a virtousic and expressive work, displaying the keyboard, membrane and auxiliary timbres of the percussion section. Percussionists Branden Kelly, Meghan Harris, Philip Krommer and Krista Carruthers will be featured. Other works by composers David Maslanka, Procession of the Academics, Gordon Jacob, An Original Suite, and Leroy Anderson, The Rakes of Mallow, will be performed.
Dr. Simon is well known throughout Atlantic Canada for his roles as a clarinetist, conductor, adjudicator, and music educator. In 2007, he was selected to conduct the National Youth Band of Canada. Prior to his appointment to UPEI, he taught public school instrumental music in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. During this performance, Dr. Simon will interact with the audience in order to heighten their engagement and enjoyment of the music.
The public is cordially invited to attend.
