By Anthony Pursell,
April 16, 2021
A tribute to the 欧美视频鈥檚 long tradition of educating students,
the UCM Wind Ensemble will present its final concert of the 2020-2021 academic year
at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 22, in Hendricks Hall. Narrated by students, the concert
will feature video introductions of six selections, each corresponding to a milestone
in the institution鈥檚 history. The program is free and open to the public.
UCM was established in 1871 as the State Normal School,Second District. At the same
time the university is celebrating its 150th year, the concert opens with Giuseppi
Verdi鈥檚 Grand March from 鈥楢ida,鈥 which is often used as a processional for commencement
exercises. This concert opener reflects the university鈥檚 mission as it sought to transform
students into lifelong learners who use their completed education to serve their communities.
Following the concert opener, the ensemble will present a march by John Philip Sousa
that is off the beaten path. Composed in 1919 when Normal No. 2 became Central Missouri
State Teachers鈥 College, The Golden Star was composed in memory of Theodore Roosevelt,
who died Jan. 6, 1919, and his son Quentin, who was killed in aerial combat over France
on July 14, 1918 (Bastille Day). The march takes on a somber feel and includes Taps,
used to honor the fallen soldiers killed during World War I. In many ways, the global
events of 1919 mirror many of the struggles we face today in 2021 with the continuation
of a global pandemic (Spanish Influenza, February 1918 to April 1920) and global/political
conflict.
With the conclusion of World War II, the institution saw another change in its identity
by rebranding as Central Missouri State College. In that same year (1946) Morton Gould,
a prominent composer of orchestral music, wrote his first work Ballad for Band for
the emerging ensemble known as the concert band. With the addition of saxophones and
the euphonium (baritone horn) to the orchestral wind section, and expanding the use
of percussion instruments, Gould explored colors that were uncommon at that time.
It is likely this milestone work for concert band that prompted other prominent composers
of the day to seriously consider writing for this emerging ensemble, thus elevating
the status of the concert band as a viable medium of musical expression and performance.
In 1972, Central Missouri State College became Central Missouri State University.
In that same year Claude T. Smith, a prominent composer, native Missourian, and longtime
friend of the university鈥檚 Director of Bands Emeritus, Russ Coleman, composed Prelude
for Band. Smith was known for visiting the institution frequently and collaborating
with Dr. Coleman on many projects. The relationship grew stronger when his Claude鈥檚
daughter, Pam Smith Kelly, attended the institution as a bassoonist. Her relationship
with Dr. Coleman and the institution continues to this day.
In 2006, a new chapter in the life of the university took place when its Board of
Governors approved a name change to the 欧美视频. In that same
year composer John Mackey transcribed Strange Humors for band. Originally a student
composition written for string quartet and djembe at The Julliard School and later
adapted by the Parsons Dance Company with Robert Battle, the composition expands the
colors of the concert band far beyond those originally conceived by Morton Gould鈥檚
Ballad for Band in 1946. Using jagged rhythms and expanded techniques, the composition
has become one of Mackey鈥檚 staples from his catalog and a favorite of the UCM Wind
Ensemble.
The concert will conclude with a sense of optimism and hope with Richard 鈥楯oey鈥 Carter鈥檚
Between Red & Black, which received its world premiere during the 2021 (virtual) President鈥檚
Gala at the Kauffman Center. Conducted by Assistant Director of Bands and Director
of Athletic Bands, Dr. Julia Baumanis, Between Red & Black ties in the UCM Alma Mater
and themes of Carter鈥檚 fraternity Phi Mu Alpha (an honorary music fraternity). He
will graduate from UCM this spring with a degree in instrumental music education.
Because of continued mitigation efforts due to COVID-19, audience members are required
to wear facial coverings and are asked to sit in areas promoting social distancing.
For questions, please contact Dr. Anthony Pursell at 660-543-4680 or apursell@ucmo.edu.