This spring, Parkland College is set to delight music enthusiasts with a series of concerts featuring a diverse array of performances from its talented student ensembles. Scheduled for May 4 and 5, these events promise a celebration of musical excellence across genres, showcasing both classical compositions and modern arrangements.
Diverse Musical Offerings in Two-Day Event
The concert series will kick off on Saturday, May 4, at 3 p.m. at the Urbana First United Methodist Church, with the Parkland Chamber Singers joining forces with BACH choir, Heritage, and Centennial High School choirs in a concert titled “London Bridge: Rhythms of Renewal.” Under the direction of Dr. Frank Gallo, the Chamber Singers will perform a mixture of beloved classics and contemporary pieces, including a unique arrangement of “I Love You/What A Wonderful World” by Craig Hella Johnson, and “The Times They Are A Changin'” arranged by Adam Podd.
The BACH Choir, Heritage Concert Choir, and Centennial Choir will also contribute with folk songs and compositions from esteemed composers like Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn. The highlight of the evening will be a collective performance of “Baba Yetu” from the video game Sid Meier’s Civilization IV, a Swahili adaptation of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Chris Kiagiri.
Orchestral and Ensemble Performances
On Sunday, May 5, the Harold and Jean Miner Theatre will host the “SprEngland Zephyr” concert at 3 p.m., featuring the Parkland Orchestra, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. The Orchestra, under Dr. Rodney Mueller’s baton, will present classics including Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto in E minor” and the lively “Overture From The Pirates Of Penzance” by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
Dr. Jonathan Beckett’s Wind Ensemble will thrill audiences with renditions of “Capriccio Espagnol” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and selections from “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, arranged by Warren Barker. The Concert Band will not be left behind, with performances planned for pieces like “March from Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber” by Paul Hindemith.
Guitar Melodies
An hour before the orchestral performances, the Parkland Guitar Ensemble will serenade attendees at the Urbana Free Library with tunes ranging from Neil Young’s rock anthem “Rockin’ in the Free World” to the smooth rhythms of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Água de Beber.”
These concerts are free and open to the public, providing a fantastic opportunity for the community to experience the artistic capabilities of Parkland College’s students. For more information, visit parkland.edu/musicensembles.
