November 6, 2009
Two York College student ensembles will present November concerts.
The Percussion Ensemble, also known as the Groove Ensemble, will perform at 3 p.m., Nov. 21, in DeMeester Recital Hall, and the Wind Symphony will perform at 3 p.m., Nov. 22, in the Collegiate Performing Arts Center. Both events are open to the public free of charge.
The Percussion Ensemble will present “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley, “Led Boots” by Jeff Beck, “Blue Rondo ala Turk” by Dave Brubeck and several other pieces. Soloists include Cindy David, a sophomore Spanish major from York, who will sing with a percussion arrangement of the Fiona Apple song “Extraordinary Machine;” Shane Ruck, a music education major from York, on the steel drums; William Hornberger, a junior music industry/recording technology major from Elizabethtown, on the guitar; and David Gerritzen, a senior music industry/recording technology major from Williamsport, on the chimes.
The Groove Ensemble, conducted by music professor Jeff Stabley, plays traditional music from West Africa, South Africa and Indonesia. The group also performs music in the modern classical style, including the music of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Student compositions are featured on a regular basis, and the group is open to all York College students.
“The ensemble is a combination of interesting music and creative students,” Stabley said. “This particular performance will feature everything from African percussion rhythms to blistering guitar solos, including a piece for rubbed crystal glasses.” For more information, contact Stabley at jstabley@ycp.edu or 717-815-1354.
The Wind Symphony will present “Concerto for Alto Saxophone” by Charles Booker, which will feature York College faculty member Susan Loy on the saxophone; “Anthem” by Mark Camphouse, an emotional piece combining the national anthems of America and Iraq; “Their Blossoms Down” by Samuel Hazo, an Irish piece in memory of the Rev. Henry McAnulty; and several other pieces.
The Wind Symphony, directed by music professor Wayne Romer, performs music spanning the 20th century to the present. British band classics, transcriptions, medleys and contemporary music are performed every semester. The primary objective of this group is to develop a high degree of musicianship for the individual performer, and to gain mastery of group performance skills. Many of the members are music majors, but non-music majors are encouraged to participate as well.
“This is a great group of musicians who play their hearts out,” Romer said. “We are looking forward to another performance in the Collegiate Performing Arts Center.” For more information, contact Romer at wromer@ycp.edu or 717-815-1526.
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