Works by Mackey, Ticheli, Grainger, and Karrick are featured by the 55-member Wind Symphony along with compositions performed by brass, woodwind, and percussion chamber groups.
According to Director Dr. Brian Hopwood, the Wind Symphony music for this performance depicts a variety of styles and emotions. With its ostinati, yet uneven rhythms, John Mackey’s Undertow depicts an unpredictable musical current that builds and subsides with each phrase. Percussion instruments abound in this newly commissioned (2008) work. Although Fortress (1988) is Frank Ticheli’s fourth work for wind band, it is considered his “first major composition for band” according to the composer. The melodic and harmonic basis of the work is the tritone or diminished 5th interval.
Dr. Hopwood said composer Percy Grainger sketched the first seventeen measures of Harvest Hymn in 1905 in London, under the title Hymn Tune. It took him until 1932, while in Sweden, to complete the composition. Although famous for the use of folk songs in his music, Harvest Hymn is based on an original melody. Bayou Breakdown (2003) began as an attempt to write a fugue in the style of J. S. Bach according to composer Brant Karrick. The result is simply described as “a bluegrass fugue with a Cajun twist.” The composer wanted to create a piece that would provide musical and technical challenges for performers yet could be immediately enjoyed by the listener, musician and non-musician alike. Written for Karrick’s students in the University of Toledo Wind Ensemble, it is dedicated to his mentor, Frank Wicks, Director of Bands at Louisiana State University.
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