The Mercer University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Douglas Hill, director of Instrumental Ensembles, College of Liberal Arts, will present its fall concert, A Night of Latin Fantasies, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18. The concert will be held at the new Zuver Performing Arts Center at Mount de Sales Academy, 851 Orange Street, Macon. The community is invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
The program will feature the following Latin works:
Retratos do Brasil (Brazilian Portraits) by Hudson Nogueiro is a programmatic work that depicts various lifestyles of Brazil, including the large pop festivals with the rhythms commonly heard in the carnavals of Rio de Janeiro.
Sorte Overture by Lucidio Quintero is a piece based on a mountainous village in Venezuela. Based on a legend of a beautiful princess being killed by a snake and later her death was avenged by the Indians in the area who blew up the snake. The entire Sorte mountain region and surrounding area were then named in the princess’ memory.
Danza de los Duendes (Dance of the Elves) by Nancy Galbraith is a contemporary dance with Latin influences. Nancy Galbraith, American born composer juxtaposes many intricate rhythms throughout this rousing piece.
Vientos y Tangos (Winds and Tangos) by Michael Gandolfi was commissioned in honor of the 70th Birthday Commissions for retired New England Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble conductor Frank Battisti. It is based on the various tangos from the early style of Juan D’arienzo and the “Tango Nuevo”style of Astor Piazzolla to the current trend of ‘Disco/Techno Tango. All of the piece is inspired by the sounds of bandoneon, violin, piano and contrabass.
The Wind Ensemble rehearses in the Instrumental Rehearsal Room (Room 120) of the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer’s campus Monday and Wednesday, 4-5:15 p.m and Friday 10-10:50 a.m.
As conductor of the Mercer Wind Ensemble, Dr. Hill has broadened the program to include the performance of both traditional and contemporary wind ensemble literature from the Renaissance through the twenty-first century. Since the opening of the McCorkle Music Building in 2001, a full complement of more than 12 chamber ensembles has been established from within the Mercer Wind Ensemble. In the first half of each semester the Mercer Wind Ensemble divides into chamber ensembles coached by faculty members to focus on individual musicianship, performance skills, and improved intonation. Following a midterm chamber ensemble concert, the students rehearse as a full wind ensemble in preparation for concerts in Macon and on regional and national tours.
Mercer Department of Music
Mercer University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Mercer’s College of Liberal Arts in Macon is home to the Department of Music, where musicianship and performance skills are nurtured within a liberal arts environment. Offering undergraduate and graduate music degree programs, the music faculty prepare students to emerge as professionals prepared for careers in performance, education, church music and arts administration.
Mercer University
Founded in 1833, Mercer University has campuses in Macon and Atlanta as well as three regional academic centers. With 10 schools and colleges, the University offers programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, education, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law and theology. For 16 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has named Mercer University as one of the leading universities in the South.
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