Appalachian Concert Band performs Feb. 23

Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 3:25 p.m.

BOONE—Rousing marches, a hymn-like composition based on Gregorian chants and a melodic tribute to a composer’s mother will be performed Feb. 23 by the Appalachian Concert Band at Appalachian State University.

Conducted by Dr. John Stanley Ross, the band will begin its concert at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Joe F. Phelps will be a guest conductor. Graduate conductors are Onsby C. Rose and Matthew S. Brusseau.

The British-style march “Mercury” by Jan Van der Roost opens the performance. It is followed by “With Quiet Courage,” written by Larry Daehn in memory of his mother who endured the hardships of farm life in Wisconsin.

The program returns to an up-tempo composition titled “Handel in the Strand” by Percy Aldredge Grainger. The title refers to George Fredrick Handel and is meant to conjure an image of Handel walking down London’s Strand to upbeat modern music.

Also on the program is “Pageant” by Vincent Persichetti, conducted by Onsby C. Rose, and “Somerset Rhapsody” by Gustav Holst, conducted by Matthew S. Brusseau. Rose also will conduct “Prelude on a Gregorian Tune” by David Maslanka.

Joe Phelps takes the baton for “His Honor” by Henry Fillmore. The lively march was written in 1933 for the major of Cincinnati. Phelps taught trumpet for 30 years in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music. He founded and directed the Trumpet Choir in the music school, and conducted brass choirs, concert, marching bands and played in faculty brass ensembles. He continues to teach part time at Appalachian.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.