Symphonic Band Spring Concert Dances to “West Side Story”


The HSU Symphonic Band, conduced by Paul Cummings, returns from a performance tour for its spring concert on April 25.

The concert gets off to a rousing start with the “Florentiner March” by Julius Fucik, a Czech composer and military band conductor, known in the early 20th century as the “Bohemian Sousa.” His music is still a staple on patriotic occasions in the Czech Republic. (One of his tunes, “Entrance of the Gladiators,” is often heard at the entrance of circus clowns.) “Florentiner March” is considered a showcase for wind ensembles.

The “Suite Francaise” was written by French composer Darius Milhaud towards the end of World War II, especially for American audiences. It has five sections, each named after one of the French provinces-- ” the very ones,” the composer has written, “ in which the American and Allied armies fought together with the French underground for the liberation of my country.”

“I used some folk tunes of these provinces,” Milhaud commented. “I wanted the young American to hear the popular melodies of those parts of France where their fathers and brothers fought to defeat the German invaders.”

“Antithigram” by contemporary American composer and wind ensemble conductor Jack Stamp, will be conducted by student Kearney Vander Sal.

The concert concludes with “Four Dances from ‘West Side Story’” by Leonard Bernstein. Music from the popular Broadway show and Academy Award-winning film is adapted in four sections, including a Mambo, a cha-cha, and a fugue called “Cool.”

The HSU Symphonic Band performs its spring concert on April 25 AT 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students and seniors from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. HSU students free with ID. Paul Cummings, conductor; produced by HSU Music Department.