VW, Coldwater bands in concert at NPAC

VWHS band information

On Tuesday, March 11, the Van Wert High School Symphonic Band and special guest Coldwater High School Symphonic Band will present a pre-contest exchange concert.

The free concert will be held in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and begin at 7:30 p.m. Both high school bands will present music for the upcoming Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Large Group District contest.

The Coldwater High School band, under the direction of Daniel Ruckman, will perform “Children of the Regiment” by Julius Fucik, “Enchanted Spaces” by Samuel Hazo, and “Different Voices” by Rick Kirby. Following Coldwater, the host VWHS Symphonic Band, under the direction of Robert H. Sloan, will perform its contest music, which includes “Enchanted Spaces” by Samuel Hazo, “Sheltering Sky” by John Mackey and “Ritual Music” by Andrew Boysen Jr. The band’s performance of “Ritual Music” will be the first time the piece has been performed in Ohio.

Additional guests will be local directors Dan Meeks and Pat Meeksfrom Shawnee High School and retired St. Marys Memorial High School band director Dane Newlove. These fine educators will spend time with both bands following their programs in order to provide suggestions for improvement before their contest performances.

This educational shared concert approach to a winter concert is a joint effort between the Coldwater and Van Wert band directors, who are long-time friends. The audience should expect to hear an excellent evening of music by two fine high school bands. Both bands, despite the rough winter and many school cancellations, have worked very hard to prepare for this event.

For more information on this event, visit the Van Wert Band website at www.vanwertbands.org, “like” it on Facebook at “Van Wert Bands Information”, follow the band on Twitter @vwbands, or call the Music Department at 419.238.3722.