By BRAXTYN TURNER
Northwestern’s Fine Arts program has a busy week ahead while they prepare for the spring performances.
Starting strong, NWOSU Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble will have an evening full of live music. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Fellers Family Auditorium. Audiences can expect high energy and high quality performances from the students of the NWOSU University band and NWOSU Jazz Ensemble.
The performance will include music selections full of modern arrangements, traditional repertoire and classic big band arrangements.
While the Ranger Band usually focuses on its football game performances in the fall, this time, the performance is more traditional. The spring performance is the first opportunity for the group to play a seated concert band program, making it an important event since only two are held each year.
“Ensemble music, for one, doesn’t have a drum line,” said Xan Perkins, director of bands. “This type of music has actual percussion instruments, things that you wouldn’t see during a regular marching band performance.”
The program will last a little over an hour with the Jazz Ensemble performing a 30-minute set and the Symphonic Concert Band performing a 45-minute set. The performance will allow for the audiences to experience jazz and wind band traditions in a singular setting while highlighting the hard work of Northwestern’s Fine Arts program.
Later in the week, the NWOSU Choir program will be having its spring concert. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. March 12 at the Presbyterian Church, at the corner of 7th and Church streets.
“Illuminations: Songs of Light and Hope” covers vocal works from contemporary styles, folk traditions and classical masterworks. Pieces of music by Bob Dylan, Mozart and Laufey are all included in the performance.
Rylee Ott, a junior biology major from Forgan, explained the work that Northwestern’s choir program has put into the production, even outside of their time in class.
“I’m involved in just about everything,” Ott said. “We are doing a lot of work outside of class to get ready for this. It’s been a bit of a struggle to work on multiple pieces at a time, but overall I think we are going to be totally prepared for the concert.”
Choir members welcome audiences of any and all ages to attend the concert.
For more information on either of these upcoming NWOSU Fine Arts performances, contact the Fine Arts Department or check the University calendar at nwosu.edu. Both concerts are free and open to students, faculty, and the Alva community.