Michael Flack programs CLC Wind Ensemble concerts to challenge his students as well as please the audience. That’s why he often begins with a lively piece that will get everyone pumped for the rest of the concert. He also chooses pieces written by well-known composers of band music as well as arrangements of pieces written for films and TV shows by up-and-coming composers.
For the Oct. 23 concert, the ensemble will open with “Celebration Fanfare,” which Flack calls “bright and energetic.” Steven Reineke wrote the piece in 1995 in honor of Erich Kunzel’s 30th anniversary as conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Reineke received more commissions from the Cincinnati Pops over the years.
Flack also chose the work because “it highlights our brass players. Dawn Crowther, one of our horn players who has been with the band a long time, is getting married and this is her last concert, so we wanted to highlight the horn section,” he said.
Another one the ensemble will perform that highlights the French horns is “Poseidon,” composed by Julie Ann Giroux, who has studied with famous composers including John Williams. She’s been composing, orchestrating and conducting music for television and film since 1985 and has won three Emmy awards.
“Poseidon” takes the audience on a journey to the ocean, the land of giant sea horses and the great waves of a Greek god and his chariots, Flack said.
The ensemble, which consists of volunteer musicians from Lake County and other nearby areas, will also perform “Othello,” a five-movement piece written by well-known composer Alfred Reed.
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Based on Shakespeare’s play, the piece “Othello” was commissioned by Ithaca College in 1977. What Flack finds interesting about the piece is that “the last movement is atypical. It ends very dark, very minor, very slow.”
The ensemble will also perform a march, but not one by John Philip Sousa, the famous march king.
Instead, the group will perform a Russian march, written by Sergey Prokofiev in 1944, titled simply “March.”
“It’s totally different from a Sousa march,” Flack said. “It’s lively and more dance-like. It’s fast and bright.”
Flack has served since 2004 as the CLC music department chairman and directs the wind and jazz instrumental programs. He’s also a featured piano soloist on several recordings by the Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and other performing groups.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
CLC Wind Ensemble
When: 4 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $5-$6, free for those under age 18
Information: 847-543-2300; jlcenter.clcillinois.edu