CSU, Chico to Present Symphonic
Wind Concert, Ramparts, April 25

CSU, Chico’s School of the Arts presents Ramparts, the annual spring band concert featuring the Chico State Wind Ensemble, Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Harlen Adams Theatre.
 
The Wind Ensemble, directed by Royce S. Tevis, Department of Music faculty member, will be joined during the concert by several other student ensembles — the Beans and Rice Experiement, a jazz combo; and the Windsperation Duo, a flute and harp group.
 
Works performed during Ramparts will include “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, by Steven Rouse and “Fandango” by Joseph Turin. “Fandango” will feature Ayako Nakamura on the trumpet and Laura Antonius on the trombone.
 
“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which is considered a “coded song,” is one of a handful of Civil War-era spirituals that refer directly to the “underground railroad” – an escape route for slaves in the south. A personal favorite spiritual of underground railroad “conductor” Harriet Tubman, many of the code words in this piece refer to escape from slavery.
 
“Coded songs were a way for slaves to share the dream of freedom openly with one another, drawing inspiration and hope from the song’s words,” noted Tevis. “Without understanding the code, the lyrics appeared to have very different, non threatening meanings to the slave owner.”
 
The “Fandango” piece was written in 2000 for the University of New Mexico Symphony. The work has been a showcase composition for the country’s premier trumpet player Phillip Smith and trombone player Joseph Alessi. This will be the last of many performances that have shined a spotlight on soloists Nakamura and Antonius; both will be graduating in mid-May.
 
“This piece explores the rhythmic, melodic and syncopated elements of the Spanish Fandango dance form — a lively dance in triple time for two dancers,” noted Tevis. “The ‘Fandango’ is an extremely tough piece for both the trumpet and trombone soloists.”
 
Tevis said that in these rough economic times music can be a bridge to inner well-being.
 
“My intentions are for the audience to leave with a wonderful musical experience that is a sort of therapy for the human soul — a spiritual version of both a chiropractor and a physical therapist,” said Tevis. “I hope that the music will help each of us to come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy, happy, and well.”
 
Advance tickets, at $15 adults, $13 senior citizens, and $6 students/children, are available at the University Box Office, 898-6333. For disability-related accommodations, please call 898-4325. Add $2 for tickets purchased at the door.