FREE CONCERT: Cascade Winds, Back Home in the U.S.A.

Posted on 05/10/10

The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band will present the final concert of their 2009-2010 season under the baton of music director Dan Judd, June 6, 2:00 p.m. at Summit High School auditorium. This concert is free of charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.

This final concert of the Winds season is entitled Back Home in the U.S.A., and will feature important literature from American composers (after our concert of Russian Music). The program kicks off with David Holsinger's "American Faces", a tribute to the multi-faceted qualities of America. "The Symphonic Gershwin" includes some favorite tune of iconic composer George Gershwin. Percy Grainger's "Colonial Song" shares a wistful mood similar to a Mark Twain book or a Stephen Foster tune. Alto saxophone soloist Jayne Morrison will perform "Persuasion", a lovely Sammy Nestico piece for band and alto. Ms. Morrison has been a member of the Cascade Winds for many years, as well as a noted music educator in Central Oregon. "Americans We" march was dedicated by composer Henry Fillmore "to all of us." 

"American Salute" by Morton Gould is a band classic based on "When Johnny Comes Marching Home". And no program of American music would be complete without the music of Stephen Foster. "A Tribute to Stephen Foster" includes several of the over 125 songs he left us. "I Want To Live" is a great John Denver classic that singer Scott Carroll will perform with the Winds. Scott has appeared in numerous important musical and drama productions throughout Central Oregon, and is currently a freshman voice major at the University of Oregon.

John Philip Sousa's "Semper Fidelis" is named in honor of his beloved United States Marine Corps, and is the march that Sousa considered to be his best. From the compositions of prolific composer Frank Ticheli, "Blue Shades" alludes to the original American genre of the Blues. Featured in this major work is a particularly energetic clarinet solo by Cascade Winds member Ted Burton. Mr. Burton is band director at Mountain View High School, and a familiar performer/conductor on the Bend music scene.

This is the second season the Cascade Winds have been conducted by Dan Judd. After an extensive tenure as a music teacher in Washington State, including election into the Washington Music Educator's 'Hall of Fame', Judd is currently Director of Bands at Summit High School in Bend. A co-founder of the Northwest Wind Symphony, an award-winning community band in Western Washington, Mr. Judd has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Northwest.

The Cascade Winds will be a featured performance group in the Centennial Celebration of the City of Redmond on the Fourth of July.

These concerts are free, open to the public and suitable for all ages. For more information visit www.cascadewinds.org or call 593-1635. Summit High School is located at 2855 NW Clearwater Drive, Bend.