Upcoming concerts and other stuff

Back in January I wrote about two of the pieces on the program to be performed by the Knightwind Ensemble on Sunday March 22 at 3 PM at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Here's some information on the feature piece, Van Gogh Portraits by Aldo Rafael Forte.


First a bit about Mr. Forte. He is Composer / Arranger for the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band stationed at Fort Langley, VA. He is also Adjunct Professor of Composition at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. He came to America at the age of nine, having been born in Cuba. His compositions are varied, having produced works for chamber orchestra, band, and orchestra.


The Van Gogh Portraits are his musical interpretations of a number of works by Van Gogh. The Potato Eaters is the first movement inspired by the dark painting of a poor peasant family eating a simple meal of potatoes. La Berceuse is a lighthearted, rollicking second movement based on portraits of the wife of Vah Gogh's postman. The Zouave, which features the percussion section, represents soldiers of North African origin, who were first brought to European awareness by Napolean. The Drawbridge was inspired by the Langiois Bridge. The Finale is a musical essay on Van Gogh's last self portrait, painted only months before his suicide. The work is very difficult to perform, but very exciting, interesting, and enjoyable.


For more information, see the Knightwind web site: http://www.knightwind.org/.



And on Sunday March 15th, Tosa Jazz is in concert at Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire, at 7 PM. I don't have any information at this time, but hope to get some details soon. More information on Tosa Jazz is at their website: http://www.arcfile.com/wcb/index.html

Finally, I received word from the Milwaukee Festival Brass that they have set the audition date for the Youth Brass Band. It is April 22. I'll have more details in the next couple of weeks. And speaking of the Milwaukee Festival Brass, I'll see you at their concert this afternoon at Wisconsin Lutheran College at 3 PM. Don't forget to bring some non-perishable food items for the Hunger Task Force!