The Delta State University Music Department will present the Delta State Wind Ensemble and Marching Band in concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the Bologna Performing Arts Center.
The Wind Ensemble under the direction by Dr. John Wojcik will take the stage first and open with “Full Tilt” by Richard Saucedo. The second piece will be “Shortcut Home,” a markedly rhythmic offering by Dana Wilson.
The third piece will be a beautifully flowing arrangement by Frank Ticheli of the ever popular “Amazing Grace.” Fourth on the program will be renowned American composer Aaron Copland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody.” This famous melody is well known “Tis a Gift” which Copland first incorporated into his opera, “Appalachian Springs.” The Wind Ensemble will then bring their portion of the concert to an exciting close with Brian Balmages’s energetic “Raging Machines.”
Following a short intermission, the 2010 “Pride of the Delta” Fighting Okra Marching Band will perform pieces from its fall marching shows.
First on the program will be our pre-game feature, “Open Up Wide” by Bill Chase and arranged by Scott Boerma and Jeff Moore. Trumpet soloists are juniors Evan Mealer from Olive Branch, and Ryan Hagenson from Purvis.
Second, the band will perform its halftime opener, “In the Stone,” made famous by Earth, Wind and Fire and written by Maurice White, David Foster and Allee Willis, arranged by Tony McCutchen.
The Delta Belles dance team will then perform to Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Boogie Wonderland” by Allee Willis and Jon Lind. Fourth will be “New Orleans,” by Frank Guida and Joseph Royster as arranged by Tom Wallace and Tony McCutchen. Featured trumpet soloist will be Claire Gentry a senior from Saltillo.
The Marching Statesmen will then perform the rousing hit fusion tune, “Birdand,” made famous by the group Weather Report and written by Joe Zawinul as arranged by Tom Wallace and Tony McCutchen.
The concert will then be brought to a close with the playing of the halftime favorite,” Darkness on the Delta,” featuring Mealer on trumpet.
The Fighting Okra Marching Band is directed by Dr. John Wojcik and Dr. Larry Bradford and the Drum Major for the 2010 Marching Statesmen and Lady Statesmen is J.J. Hatfield from Booneville.
The concert is free and open to the public.
