4-1-25 fdl symphonic band spring pops concert

Under the direction of Music Director Dr. Evan Chancellor and Associate Conductor Jill Koerwitz, the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will present its 44^th annual Pops Concert, “Visions of America,” on Saturday, April 12. The performance will begin at 7:00 p.m.  at the Fond du Lac County Prairie Theater and Event Center, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac WI.  VOX:Vocal Harmony will be featured guest artists. Based in Sheboygan, VOX is a folk/pop/blues ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire. From R & B to folk ballads to a cappella blues, VOX performs beautifully-woven three-part harmony. Founded in 2017, vocalists Marie Hetzel, Stephanie Stowers, and Anne Lapinski — along with Simon Ulrich, Jerry Danks, and Sophie Bartol on guitar, bass, keys, and percussion — create an integrated musical experience that speaks to the soul.  The concert theme: Visions of America, includes pieces that recall places and scenes of American life. Both Shenandoah by Omar Thomas and  Celebration at Lake Sequoya by Gary Gilroy take  inspiration from the beauty of their locations.   The music of the American West will be heard in Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” from Rodeo and highlights from the music for the film Silverado.  Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett is a staple of the wind band repertoire; its five movements are each set in a different dance style.  Frank Ticheli’s San Antonio Dances is similar, evoking a blending of musical cultures and styles indicative of the South Texas city’s famous riverwalk.    The program will also feature a premiere performance of a new work, Bolérobot by Erika Svanoe.  Svanoe is a local Wisconsin composer; the band’s involvement in this commissioned work was made possible by a gift in memory of Bob Kahl, a long-time member of our Advisory Council, friend of the band and supporter of music in our community.  The concert will take place at the newly rebranded Prairie Theater and Event Center on the Fond du Lac County Campus, 400 University Avenue in Fond du Lac. The band previously performed a pops concert at the campus facility in 2001, following nearly 20 years of pops concerts on the Marian University campus and before completion of the community PAC at the new Fond du Lac High School in fall of 2001.   The decision to change locations was driven by the ongoing difficulty of scheduling a suitable rehearsal and performance date at the heavily-booked PAC, along with the desire of Fond du Lac County to develop and encourage community use of the Campus facilities after it was closed as a branch location of UW-Oshkosh last year.  As always, the concert will be free of charge, and there will be no sponsors’ seating options this year. Since the Prairie Theater accommodates fewer than 400 people, seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and concert goers are encouraged to arrive early to be assured of a seat.  The band gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the major concert sponsors: Steve and Lynne Uecker, Dick and Mary Wehner, and Steve Peterson and Lisa Washa. While their support covers the guest artist expenses, a free-will offering will be received to help pay for facility rent, music purchases, publicity, insurance and other concert expenses.