October 17, 2005
Contact: Jo Ann Lloyd
Cal Poly Public Affairs
(805) 756-1511; jlloyd@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly BandFest '05 to Celebrate Homecoming With
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue
SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cal Poly's annual BandFest concert will bring together more than 200 musicians in three bands in a musical celebration of Homecoming at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in Harman Hall in the Cohan Center.
The program, titled "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue" will showcase the musical talents of students in the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra, the Cal Poly Wind Ensemble, and the Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band.
"The driving energy and sheer exuberance of these bands will produce a spellbinding musical event that will be enjoyed by the entire family," said conductor William Johnson, professor of music and director of bands.
The Wind Orchestra will play Suite in E-Flat by Gustav Holst for
the "something old" portion of the program. The Wind Ensemble
will perform the West Coast premiere of "The Seasons"
by Philip Sparke, and the Wind Orchestra will play "Whirlwinds"
by Richard Sausado in the concert's "something new" segment.
For the "something borrowed" part of the program, the
Wind Ensemble will play "Rhosamedre" by Ralph Vaughan
Williams, and the combined Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will
perform "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" from Richard
Wagner's opera "Lohengrin."
The Wind Ensemble will play "Blue Shades" by Frank Ticheli for "something blue."
The combined Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will perform "Russian
Christmas Music" by Alfred Reed as the program's finale.
Conductor Johnson calls the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble
and Marching Band "wonderful combinations of stunning virtuosity,
masterful programming, and lighthearted fun.
"These 200-plus musicians produce the full richness of a symphony orchestra, the intimacy of a chamber ensemble and the toe-tapping brilliance of a military marching band," he said. "Each concert blends informative commentary, outstanding musicianship, and humor."
The Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band has performed halftime shows for every professional football team in California. Known as the Pride of the Pacific, the ensemble of 100 marching men and women "is known for its big sound and fascinating drill routines that thrill both stadium and concert audiences," according to Johnson.
BandFest will also feature the talents of assistant conductor Rudolfas Budginas, a staff member at Cal Poly and a music faculty member at Cuesta College. David Waybright, professor of music and director of bands at the University of Florida, will serve as guest conductor.
Waybright has been a guest conductor and clinician with wind bands, orchestras, and choirs in more than 30 states, throughout Europe and Australia. He has held residencies at many of the nation's leading music schools. Currently he is director of bands, professor and head of the conducting area at the University of Florida.
Tickets to the concert are $15 to $18 for senior citizens, $13 to $15 for students, and $8 to $11 for children. Subscribers who buy tickets to at least four 2005-2006 Cal Poly Music Department events can save up to 15 percent on ticket prices. Tickets can be bought at the Performing Arts Ticket Office 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone, call SLO-ARTS (756-2787).
BandFest is sponsored by Cal Poly's Music Department, College of Liberal Arts, and Instructionally Related Activities program. For more information, call the Music Department at 756-2406. For more information and a list of Music Department events, go online to http://music.calpoly.edu/calendar.html, send an e-mail to music@calpoly.edu, or call 756-2406.
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