On Saturday, Feb. 20, the Andrews University Wind Symphony performed their “Stage & Screen” Concert, conducted by Byron Graves, at the Howard Performing Arts Center (HPAC). It featured pieces from Broadway plays and Hollywood movies. Andrews University employees, the Enjoyment of Music class, music majors, music minors, and Andrews University students were allowed to attend in person with a limited seating capacity. Those who attended in person were required to wear masks and social distance. Others were able to watch the concert through live stream on YouTube and Facebook.
The first half of the concert featured pieces from several famous Broadway plays. To start, they performed selections from Les Misérables by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer and arranged by Warren Barker. Next, they performed “Someone to Watch Over Me,” by George and Ira Gershwin and arranged by Warren Barker and featuring Beta Siriwattanakamol (senior, music education) as a vocal soloist. Selections from the famous Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Llyod Webber and arranged by Warren Barker were performed next and featured an unexpected scream by Kaija Perry (graduate, music). Rekha Isaac (freshman, biology), flutist, said, “My favorite moment in the concert was the scream in Phantom of the Opera. Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals, and I loved being able to perform it!” To finish off the Broadway plays section, the Wind Symphony played pieces from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and arranged by Robert Bennett. Following this section, there was a short 15 minute intermission.
Ms. Siriwattanakamol, vocal soloist and baritone saxophone player, commented, “We’re all very happy we get to continue making music together in these times, since not everyone gets to. Though the restrictions for ensemble playing have been difficult for us to adapt to, they ensure that we can keep rehearsing together and they make us better listeners, players, and musicians in the long run.”
After the intermission, the concert continued with pieces from Hollywood movies. This section began with “Symphonic Suite” from Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt and arranged by John Wasson. Then, “Over the Rainbow,” from The Wizard of Oz, by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg and arranged by Warren Barker, featured Ed Tovar on the alto saxophone. Following the beautifully performed piece, the Wind Symphony played selections from Up by Michael Giacchino and arranged by Michael Brown. Nehemias Calsin (graduate, orchestral conducting) conducted “Lincoln” from Lincoln by John Williams and arranged by Jay Bocook. Finally, the Wind Symphony closed out the concert with a performance of “Symphonic Suite” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams and arranged by Jay Bocook.
Overall, the concert was very enjoyable to listen to and featured many famous pieces. The video is available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfOBSD9Pr-U. Also, the Andrews University Choirs will be having a concert on March 6, on the theme “Chasing Away the Blues,” so be sure to tune in.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.