By Daniel Deza
The Fenway Center will ring with the sounds of crashing cymbals and angelic flutes as Northeastern’s Concert Band takes the stage for its fourth annual spring show. At 3 p.m. Saturday, doors will open for a student- and faculty-led collaboration that has been in preparation all year.
With two different ensembles, the wind band and symphonic band, each has an array of pieces that capture the composition of every instrument. From “West Side Story” to “Slava,” the spring show promises a wide range of sound, as fresh faces with new talents join the concert band each year.
Concert Band president Dayna Bradstreet said this year more students than usual have joined the band. Many of the new members are engineering majors, she said. The concert band now has more student conductors than ever.
“Four student conductors is the most we have ever had,” Bradstreet said. “I think the concert band is a good outlet for people to play for fun and who want to still be part of something. Our members have a love for playing music, which will show in the concert.”
The show will include works by Gustav Holst, Gordon Jacobs and Lenore Bernstein, each shaping the show with the composers’ individual styles. The show will also feature an original composition by Northeastern bands director Allen Feinstein.
Adam Frey, an elite young brass soloist, will make a guest appearance. The Atlanta native has traveled the globe playing with Soli Brass in Holland, Point of Ayr in Wales and the National Youth Brass Band of Switzerland.
He will join each ensemble for one song, “Yellow Roses of Texas” with the symphonic band and “Swimming the Mountain” with the wind ensemble. Bradstreet said Frey’s instrument, the euphonium, is something most people don’t hear often and is a feature students must come and see.
“I hope everyone just has a great time and enjoys hearing our soloist,” she said. “Whether you come for the euphonium or to see our many student conductors, everything has become very important to us and I know students will enjoy the show.”
