Band Concert Features Composer Frank Ticheli Conducting His Own Music In Los Alamos Saturday

 
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post

Three bands will take the stage Saturday for The Los Alamos Community Winds Band Festival Finale and Gala Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at Crossroads Bible Church. Admission is free. Suggested donation is $10.

“This is such a tremendous opportunity to have an event of this caliber here in Los Alamos,” Community Winds Director Ted Vives said.

First the concert will feature a Festival Honor Band, comprising middle and high school students, under the direction of Frank Ticheli and Chandra Blackston. The band consists of students from around northern New Mexico.

Guest Clinician Chandra Blackston is the director of instrumental music at Lincoln Middle School in Rio Rancho. In 2015, the Orchestra won the NMAA State Championship.

Guest Conductor and clinician Frank Ticheli is one of the premier contemporary composers of orchestral, choral, chamber and concert band works. He is a Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California. Ticheli received his doctoral and master’s degrees in composition from The University of Michigan. His works are published by Manhattan Beach, Southern, Hinshaw, and Encore Music, and are recorded on the labels of Albany, Chandos, Clarion, Equilibrium, Klavier, Koch International, Mark, Naxos, and Reference.

Ticheli will conduct the Honor Band in his own piece “Abracadabra.”

“We’re so happy to provide this opportunity for the kids,” Vives said. “Having a conductor doing his own music-it doesn’t get much better than that.”

The Albuquerque Concert Band under the direction of John Sanks. The all-volunteer 80-plus member ensemble attracts many of Albuquerque’s finest adult wind and percussion musicians. Rehearsing and performing year-round, the ensemble typically gives 15-18 performances every year.

In addition to other works, the band will perform “Shenandoah” and “Nitro” by Frank Ticheli, conducted by Ticheli himself.

Finally, the Los Alamos Community Winds will take the stage. In addition to other pieces, they will perform “Rest” and “Cajun Folk Songs” by Ticheli, under his baton.

“This will be something I hope will inspire kids to be involved in music their entire lives,” Vives said. Musicians often hang up their horns after college.

“Community bands provide musicians with an opportunity to get together and make music at any point in our lives,” Vives said.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the most prominent 20th century composers conduct his own music.

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