The ETSU Concert Band, conducted by Dr. Joe D. Moore, and the Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Christian Zembower, will wrap up the fall semester with a holiday season concert entitled “Full of Spirit” on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Millennium Center Ballroom.
Moore is ETSU Director of Athletic Bands, associate director of bands and assistant music professor. He is in charge of the re-establishment of the Marching Band, directing the Pep Band, assisting with the Concert Bands program, teaching marching band techniques, arranging and orchestration, beginning conducting and co-teaching brass methods.
Zembower is ETSU Director of Bands and music professor. He is in charge of conducting the wind ensemble and chamber winds, assisting with concert band; he teaches beginning and advanced conducting, band literature, instrumental music education methods courses, and with the associate director of bands assistance, leads all aspects concerning the ETSU Bands program.
This concert will be a mixture of both contemporary and classic works for for the holiday season. Several of the selections for the Concert Band are fairly recent such as “Silent Night in Gotham” (2009) and “What Child is That Playing Carol of the Bells?” (2011), both written by Julie Giroux. Several other selections are older like “March-Fanfare” from “Symphonic Triptych” (1977) by James Curnow and “The Courier-Journal March” (1961) by R.B. Grifffith.
The Wind Ensemble program is parallel with several newer pieces, such as “Christmas with Mozart” (2007) by Julie Giroux and “Lux Aurumque” (2005) by Eric Whitacre. Some older classics such as “A Christmas Festival” (1950) by Leroy Anderson and “Fantasy on a Bell Carol” (1970) by Edward J. Madden will also be performed.
The end of the semester concert is essentially a final exam for Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students. The compositions selected by each band are representative of their proficiency level with the students’ performing musicianship.
“The performance shows those in attendance such as parents, family, friends and the general public what has been taught in our classes and rehearsals,” Zembower said. “Each concert is a valuable learning experience for all that are involved. Some pieces on certain instruments are harder than others on the same piece.”
Aside from showcasing the progression of the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students at ETSU, this concert was formed for the intent of spreading holiday cheer.
“The theme of this performance directly relates to title, ‘Full of Spirit,'” Zembower said. “The pieces presented are related to the human spirit, the holiday spirit or excitement in general.”
Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Cindy Goodwin at 423-439-4276 or godwinc@etsu.edu.
