Musicians at Shippensburg University are not offered the option of majoring in music but choose to play anyway.
Sixty-five of these musicians along with their instruments consisting of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and more took the stage at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center for the annual concert band performance.
Trevor R. Famulare, SU director of bands, led the concert comprised of seven different pieces.
This also marked one of the final performances for 15 graduating seniors who will conclude their time with the Shippensburg University band in May.
Many of these seniors are cabinet members and brothers of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. This is only one experience they added to the list of things they accomplished throughout their time as band members at SU.
Numerous pieces were played for the audience’s enjoyment; beginning with the playing of The National Anthem.
A piece was also played in dedication to the memory of Sir Malcolm Arnold titled “Along an English Countryside.”
Taking a slight pause, Famulare addressed the irony in the next song titled “Sleep” asking the audience to not act on the title. But, things picked up quickly when “Midnight on Main Street” played throughout the performing arts center. It was inspired by New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July firework shows and brought excitement to the crowd.
Intermission halted the performance only for a short while until some “Ship spirit” was intertwined into their performance through “Songs of Sailor and Sea” and was followed by “O Magnum Mysterium.”
At this point in the concert, Famulare took the time to acknowledge those graduating as well as thanking each of the musicians for their dedication and hard work throughout the process of preparing for the concert.
The band’s trip to California over spring break to play in Disney Land was also addressed as an enlightening experience for the ensemble before they played their final piece, “Arabesque.”
It was concluded with a detailed medley of 30 different pieces ranging from “Jingle Bells” to “When the Saints Go Marching In” bringing the crowd to its feet.
This concert showcased the talent of these students who not only play music, but choose to dedicate their time to the SU music program as a major in this field is not offered.
The band continues fundraising and practicing in order to travel to Ireland this summer and are well on their way.
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