By Dr. Allen Molineux

On Thursday, February 22^nd, at 7:30 pm there will be a free concert in the WVM Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building on the campus of Claflin University. The program will feature Claflin’s Wind Ensemble and Saxophone Ensemble.

This  group, under the direction of Artist-In-Residence, Bryson Borgstedt,  is a fairly new addition to Claflin’s music department being formed late in 2005. Their primary goal is to explore repertoire that blends jazz and classical styles. On this program, the ensemble will be a quintet and will offer a work in four movements entitled “Vignettes” composed by Jim Perry.

The Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Richard House will present a number of concert selections ranging from the standard to the unique. Undoubtedly, the most well known band composition they will play is the “English Folk Song Suite” written by British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. Its three movements, March-Seventeen Come Sunday, Intermezzo-My Bonnie Boy” and March-Folk Songs from Somerset will send familiar tones and tunes to all audiences that have band enthusiasts in its midsts.

One of their selections, Spanish Dance #5 by Enrique Granados, will feature a trombone solo by Johnnie Smith, a junior at Claflin majoring in music while another number called “With Quiet Courage” is a warm and loving tribute to composer Larry Daehn’s late wife.

The most unusual work on the entire program was written by the contemporary American composer, Michael Daugherty. Daugherty, a member of the music faculty at the University of Michigan is known for his quirky musical mannerisms and American pop cultural themes. The piece on this program, “Alligator Alley” is no exception as it is a tribute to, of all things,  a toll road in the state of Florida!