Two Cameron University musical ensembles will unite to present “Light and Darkness,” a concert featuring the Cameron University Concert Band and the Cameron/Lawton Community Band. The concert is set for Sunday, October 9, at 3 p.m. in the University Theatre.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens, military members and non-CU students. Cameron students, faculty and staff are admitted at no charge with a valid CU ID. To reserve tickets, please call 580-581-2346.
All musical numbers for the concert will portray light or darkness in some way, inspired by “Symphony of Light,” a new composition by Ed Heckeby. A 20-minute symphony for band, “Symphony of Light” was the result of a commission project that included the CU Concert Band.
“It was an honor to be part of the commission project, and it was a great experience for CU students,” says Dr. Lucas Kasper, conductor of the CU Concert Band and the Cameron/Lawton Community Band. “It is important to have great new music available for musicians and the audience. As I wanted to present “Symphony of Light” during this concert, I decided to feature music that focuses on light or darkness.”
The CU Concert Band will open the program with “Spirals of Light” by Sean O’Loughlin, a high-energy piece that features the brass section performing in a fanfare style. “Symphony of Light” will follow. The symphony includes four movements: Daybreak, Reflections, Neon and Darkside of the Moon. The latter will feature CU piano students Gina Staffieri and Lillie Hodgson. The CU Concert Band will close its portion of the concert with “Voodoo” by Daniel Bukvich. “Voodoo” is not a typical concert band work; rather, it is highly theatrical and requires the musicians to play their instruments in atypical ways.
The Cameron/Lawton Community Band will perform Steven Bryant’s “Dusk,” “Light Vibrations” by Sammy Nestico, John Phillip Sousa’s “Golden Star,” “Ghost Walk” by Chris Brubeck, and “Moon by Night” by Jonathan Newman. The 50-member ensemble consists of local music teachers, hobby musicians, CU students and high school students.
“I am honored to start conducting the Cameron/Lawton Community Band this semester,” says Kasper. “Dr. Jim Lambert conducted the ensemble since 1983. His dedication to the music community and his attention to detail in rehearsals have laid a solid foundation for success as I attempt to fill his shoes. I look forward to working with the Cameron/Lawton Community Band more and watching the ensemble’s growth.”
The concert will close with both ensembles performing John Williams’ “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Students performing in the CU Concert Band are Mykayla Waller, Altus; Darien King, Duncan; Morgan Chisholm, Alexis Davila-Colon, Harlie Hardage, Matthew Hogg, Haylie Kousman, William Magee, Nicholas Raso, Michael Richard, Jamie Riha, Bellemarie Saucedo, Gina Staffieri, Nathan Timpson Whitlow and Matthew Young, Lawton; Irmtraud Bryant, Medicine Park; Ryley Balius, Okmulgee; Brandi McCarley, Rush Springs; Troy Spurlin, Snyder; and Owen Ellis, Yukon.
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PR# #22-118
