The Bowdoin Orient

November 17, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 10

Concert Band Performs

by JULIE THOMPSON - STAFF WRITER

  Full of opportunities to expand your horizons and appreciate the finer things in life. This one is no exception: the Bowdoin College Concert Band is presenting its fall semester concert this Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge. For those of you who have never witnessed the awesome power that is the Concert Band, I'm not sure anything I say can truly prepare you for the experience.
  It's pretty intense. Seriously though, this year the band has made incredible progress in developing a cohesive sound, building on a strong foundation of experienced players returning from last year. A strong crop of newcomers, including several talented first-years, has also contributed greatly to the group's sound this year.
   In the fall semester concert, director John Morneau has put this newly strengthened sound to the test, selecting five challenging yet popular pieces for audience enjoyment. Included in this prestigious lineup is Charles Ives' "Old Home Suite" with its own tripped-out interpretation of the popular children's tune "London Bridge is Falling Down," as well as the rousing "Florentiner March" from the movie Brassed Off.
   Perhaps most conspicuous among them is "A Copland Portrait," which highlights some of the beloved contemporary composer's most popular pieces. You know that song, the one with all the trumpets and French horns on the beginning, the one that sounds like it should be played when Olympic athletes take the field? You've heard it before; it's called "Fanfare for the Common Man," and it opens up this fabulous piece.
  There is another notorious tune hidden in "A Copland Portrait," but to find out what it is, you'll have to come to the concert. So with that tease, enrich your cultural acumen and come listen to some great music on Saturday night at 7:30 in Kresge.
  You might end up humming some good tunes at the end of the night, instead of Britney Spears.

The brass section warms up before rehearsal. (Kate Maselli/ The Orient)