Piedmont University’s Instrumental Chamber Ensembles, Wind Ensemble to Perform in April

Piedmont University’s Instrumental Chamber Ensembles and Wind Ensemble will perform free concerts in April.

Instrumental Chamber Ensembles

The Instrumental Chamber Ensembles will perform the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bridge, Stein, and other compositions handpicked to showcase their talents during a concert at 4 p.m. on April 10.

The Instrumental Chamber Ensembles are comprised of students taking the university’s chamber ensemble class, as well as two students participating in the university’s piano studio.

Each semester, the instruments of the students taking the class vary. This semester, there are three clarinetists and four saxophonists. It’s Director Dianasue Walton’s job to find music that works for the instruments on hand.

For the upcoming performance, Walton selected Mozart’s Allegro from Eine Kleine Nacthmusic, which was originally written for the two violins, viola, and cello with an optimal bass, but which has been scored for five clarinets.

To make use of Piedmont’s impressive collection of Steinways, Walton also sought pieces that would incorporate piano. A clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist will collaborate on works including Frank Bridge’s Miniatures for Piano Trio H87, which was originally written for violin, cello, and piano. Another group will perform one movement from Trio for Clarinet, Saxophone and Piano by Leon Stein.

Wind Ensemble Partnership

The Wind Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. on April 12.

“The theme for our concert is the power of music to remind us of our shared humanity during times of war. I would compare our program to a circle that loops around and links up with itself. The musical circle begins in a Russian city, travels through many ports of call, and is completed in Ukraine,” said Wind Ensemble Director Anand Sukumaran.

“We are inspired by this quote from Bela Bartok, a Hungarian composer: ‘…the brotherhood of peoples, brotherhood despite all wars and conflicts. I try — to the best of my ability — to serve this idea in my music.”

The program for the performance includes St. Petersburg March, Fantasia on the Dargason, Into the Storm, Deus Ex Machina, How ’Bout That, Unforgettable, Scramble, and the National Anthem of Ukraine.

Piedmont Music Professor Dr. Andrea Price will perform as a guest soloist on Unforgettable.

“We hope that attendees will be moved by the theme and spirit of our collaboration and leave inspired to find ways to build unity and community through music, especially when tribulations and trials arise,” Sukumaran said.

Both performances are free, open to the public, and will take place at the Chapel on the Demorest campus, 992 Central Ave.

For more information about Piedmont’s Fine Arts programs and events, visit piedmont.edu/fa.