Concerts, Symphonic Bands join forces in recent performance

by Lenora Hollinghead

Troy University’s Concert and Symphonic Band joined forces in Claudia Crosby Theater,  with nearly 186 members in total performing Monday night.

The concert band was conducted by Troy University graduate students Dallas Hammond, Kayla Lemak, Wyatt Anderson, and De’Shun Iverson. 

Dallas Hammond conducted “Prairie Dances” by David Holsinger, a celebratory music piece based on the history of the Texas portrait. 

Hammond also conducted “Solas Áne” by Samuel Hazo, a musical piece named after Margene Pappas and her joy of sharing music with her students at Oswego High School in Oswego, Illinois. 

Matthew Suit, a sophomore music education major from Wewahitchka, Florida, was one of the performers during the concert.

“’Sólas Ané’ was my favorite piece we played tonight, the piece starts with a beautiful lyrical melody that is repeated throughout the piece.” Suit said, 

“It also has an Irish jig in the middle that makes you want to hop out of your seat and dance.”

Kayla Lemak conducted “The Last to Fall” by Tyler Arcari, a heartfelt piece hoping to inspire young musicians. 

Wyatt Anderson conducted “With Valor and Brave Heart” by Wiliam Owens, written in remembrance of the tragic memories at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. 

De Shun Iverson conducted “Tribal Quest” by Sean O'Loughlin, a dramatic closer to end the concert bands, portion of the recital. 

Damian Money, a freshman music education major from Columbus, Georgia, and performer during the concert shared his favorite of the night.

“’Prairie Dances’ by David Holsinger was my favorite piece played tonight, I really liked how it opened the concert.” 

As the recital switched from the Concert band to Symphonic band, Susan L. Smith, an assistant professor of music education in the John M. Long School of Music, led the Symphonic band. 

Smith conducted “Radiance” by Mark Lortz, “Emperata Overture” by Claude T. Smith, “Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Early Light” by Carolyn Bremer, as well as “Mother of a Revolution” by Omar Thomas. 

“My favorite piece tonight was ‘Mother of a Revolution’ by Omar Thomas,” Ben Meed, a senior music education major from Samson, Alabama. “This piece was just an all around fun piece to play.”