So, what are members of the Presbyterian College Wind Ensemble & Chamber Winds doing here?
They are performing parts of “Witches’ Night (2016)” with non-traditional wind instruments. The haunting selection, in three parts, also had ensemble members stomping their feet and doing witches’ laughs, for the Belk Auditorium audience Tuesday night at Presbyterian College. Conductor is Dr. Giovani Briguente.
This World Premier work is by Jose Ignacio Bless Lull (b. 1984) and includes the movements: “The Legend,” “Witches’ Gathering,” and “St. John’s Night.”
Also, as the finale to this concert, the PC Ensemble played the World Premiere of the first PC Bands commission in history: “Festival Procession (2023)” by Ben Robichaux (b. 1991).
Briguente said the extremely difficult piece shows the Power and Potential of the PC Band program.
Other selections were: “Marche Militaire (1826)”, by Franz Schubert, arr: Hiroki Takahasta; “Heatherwood Portrait (1985),” by James Barnes; “A Young Symphony (2018),” by Jose Ignacio Blesa Lull; “Concord Battle Flag: and “Hickory Sticks,” from Ancient Rudimental State and Bass Drum Solos (1959), by John S. Pratt; and “Dances from Terpsichore (1612),” by Michael Practorius.
The concert’s theme was “Metamorphosis.”
Following the free and open to the public performance, a reception was held for ensemble members and the public, sponsored by local benefactors Tom & Jane Mahon Scott.
The next PC Bands performance will be “More than Jazz,” by the PC Jazz Band, on Tuesday, April 25, 7:30 pm in Belk Auditorium on the PC campus in Clinton. This is a casual attire, free and open to the public performance.
More about Presbyterian College Music here.
