SYMPHONIC CONCERT BAND
Mark Dorr, director
Founded in August of 1998, the Grinnell College Symphonic Concert
Band has quickly grown to over 60 highly talented and enthusiastic
members. There are typically two to five performances annually,
featuring the Symphonic Band in full length concerts as well as
at special events on campus. During the course of each semester
the band program regularly sponsors guest artists and conductors
to work with the ensemble on special performance topics. Highlights
in 1999 included performances during Grinnell College Commencement
Weekend and the Mid-America Composers Festival, working with Indiana
State University composer Daniel McCarthy on his recently completed
band work Grand Ledges: Vistas in Michigan, and performing with
guest artists Elaine Wong (clarinet) and Bob Long (alto saxophone).
Entire sections of the band have also regularly been featured
in concert either as soloists or during showcase ensemble tunes,
including the clarinet, brass, and percussion sections in April
of 1999 and the flute section in December 1999.
Membership in the ensemble is open to intermediate to advanced level
Grinnell College instrumental students as well as other qualified musicians
drawn from the greater Grinnell area. In order to determine chair placement,
all musicians attend a group meeting and participate in an informal
private audition during the first week of classes.
Musical selections performed by the Symphonic Band are quite eclectic,
consisting of major works from the wind and percussion band repertoire
as well as audience and band member favorites. Representative compositions
performed recently include "March" from Symphonic Metamorphosis
by Paul Hindemith; Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copland; Courtly Airs and
Dances by Ron Nelson; First Suite in F by Thom Ritter George; Russian
Christmas Music by Alfred Reed; "Danza Finale" from Estancia
by Alberto Ginastera; Barnum and Bailey's Favorite by Karl L. King;
Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa; Big Band Signatures
arranged by John Higgins; Symphony No. 1: In Memoriam Dresden - 1945
by Daniel Bukvich; and Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Aldridge Grainger.
