Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Concert Band Concert


This past Saturday, December 3, the College of the Ozarks Concert Band held their annual Concert at the Royal Oak Forum at the Keeter Center.

The band began their performance with “A Rhapsody of Carols,” a Christmas medley by Paul Jennings, followed by the classic “Carol of the Bells,” written by Leontovich and arranged by Wilhousky/O’Loughlin. Though the Christmas season is in full swing, the program included some classic and well-loved tunes for the audience’s enjoyment: Symphonic Highlights from The King and I, a Rodgers and Hammerstein/Bulla arrangement.



The Concert Band returned to Christmas selections with “Star of Wonder” by James Swearingen, featuring a flute solo by senior Mollie Rozean. Next, they played “Toboggan Ride” by Stan Applebaum, a fun piece with fast tempos, timpani solos, and odd timings.

The band also highlighted the College’s patriotic goal by performing “Let Freedom Ring!” by Kenny Bierschenk. This song incorporates many well-known patriotic pieces such as “America, the Beautiful” and “Yankee Doodle.”

Before the band’s final piece, Dr. Kevin Powers drew attention to three seniors who will be leaving after this semester: Mollie Rozean, a flute player, Caitlin Curbow, a clarinet player, and Jessica Wheatly, a tenor saxophone player; all of these players have been with the band for the past four years. After their recognition, Dr. Powers joked that the Concert Band “cannot decide if they are a concert, or big Jazz band” and the concert ended with an effervescent medley, “A Show Stoppin’ Christmas” by Chris Sharp. The appreciative audience departed with wishes of a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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