Waynesburg musicians to perform free concerts
Waynesburg University musicians will be performing several concerts next week.
The Waynesburg University Symphonic Band will present its Mid-Winter Band Concert at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday inside the Marsh Center below Roberts Chapel.
The Symphonic Band has devoted the 2016-17 academic year to movie music. This concert will continue that theme and present film music from “West Side Story” to “Silverado.”
Music from notable composers such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Karl King, Bruce Boughton, Howard Shore and Leonard Bernstein will be performed.
The ensemble is directed and conducted by Ronda DePriest, director of Waynesburg’s music program and associate professor of instrumental music.
“The music for this concert pre-dates the lives of most of our ensemble members, so it has been thrilling for me as a music educator to watch the music come to life in tandem with their understanding of musical scores to the overall artistry of a film,” DePriest said.
Meanwhile, a selection of small ensembles will present Chamber Works I at noon Thursday in the Marsh Center. The concert will feature the university’s Beauty Shop/Barber Shop Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. Students who take private music lessons will also perform.
Small music ensembles allow students an opportunity to hone and develop their music and leadership skills in intimate settings, and the Chamber Works concerts, offered twice per semester, allow ensembles to share their work with the campus and local communities. Smaller group settings also allow students to experience and connect to repertoire from a wider variety of musical genres than is possible in large ensembles.
“These concerts are a great way to break up a busy week and enjoy a little musical time together,” DePriest said. “We hope both our campus community and the Waynesburg community will take an hour out of their day to spend some quality time together.”
Admission to both concerts are free. Ddonations can be made to benefit Relay for Life.
For more information, call 724-852-7638 or email rdepries@waynesburg.edu.