Washington Wind Symphony: Winds Gone Wild

Jason Gilliam, euphonium
Megan Grady, clarinet

Jack Stamp – Gavorkna Fanfare
Johan de Meij – UFO Concerto
Clifton Williams – Symphonic Dance No. 3, "Fiesta"
Scott McAllister – Black Dog
Gregory Youtz – Frederick Street

It's true -- you don't normally associate "wild" with wind instruments. But in this, our last concert of the season, Dr. Ed Powell will conduct a wild range of wind band music that's sure to knock your socks off. Featuring two accomplished soloists, a clarinetist mimicking a hard rock guitar, a joyful Mexican fiesta and a rousing brass fanfare -- this June 17 performance will be a must-hear event!

* Gavorkna Fanfare, by Jack Stamp -- With the brass and percussion sections taking the lead, this energetic fanfare demands your attention as charging rhythms and dissonant harmonies whisk you breathlessly through to its triumphant finish. Stamp composed this popular music in 1991 while studying under Eugene Corporon at Michigan State University.
* UFO Concerto, by Johan de Meij -- Tacoma native and Lecturer of Euphonium at Pacific Lutheran University, Jason Gilliam is a popular Northwest clinician, and we are thrilled to have him as a guest soloist. As you might guess by its name, "UFO" is not a typical concerto, and is full of musical surprises. Listen carefully to the theme and you may detect a chord de Meij heard repeatedly in the music of Planet Earth and Extreme Makeover TV shows in 2005. The composer explains, "This chord has been obsessively present in my head ever since -- I couldn't resist!"
* Symphonic Dance No. 3 "Fiesta", by Clifton Williams -- This is one of five symphonic dances Williams composed in 1964 to celebrate the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra's 25th Anniversary celebration. Evoking the pageantry and color of the city's many Mexican celebrations, you can imagine brilliant costumes, street bands, and the legacy of a proud people.
* Black Dog, by Scott McAllister -- Yes, it's that Black Dog, the 1971 classic from legendary, English rock band Led Zeppelin. You'll be amazed as our own Megan Grady pulls out all the stops in this fun and challenging rhapsody for clarinet. How can a clarinet growl and wail like an electric guitar? You better attend to find out!
* Frederick Street, by Gregory Youtz -- Professor of Music Composition at Pacific Lutheran University since 1984, Youtz has received numerous awards for his works, including the 2016 "Composer of the Year" award from the Washington State Music Teachers Association. He wrote this rollicking piece to conjure up the masquerade bands that parade down Frederick Street, the main shopping area of Port of Spain, during its annual Carnival celebration. It features the ubiquitous rhythms of Afro-Caribbean percussion and calypso songs inherent to this event since the 19th century. We dare you to keep your feet from dancing.

What better way to celebrate Father's Day than by taking Dad to our "Winds Gone Wild!" concert at the Redmond Performing Arts Center (located at Redmond High School) on Sunday, June 17? You'll love the ideal acoustics, comfortable seating, as well as plenty of free parking!

About Washington Wind Symphony

http://www.washingtonwindsymphony.org/