VW hosts Shawnee bands for concert

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert High School Symphonic Band will host the Shawnee High School Concert and Symphonic bands for a “Pre-contest Exchange Concert” on Tuesday, March 8, in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The three bands will present music to be performed at the upcoming Ohio Music Education Association District Band Contest held the following weekend, with the bands receiving on-stage critiques to help them finish their preparation for contest.

The Shawnee Concert Band, under the direction of Dan Meeks, will perform “Pan American March” by Karl King, “Within the Castle Walls” by Brian Balmages, and “Counterbalance” by Randall Strandridge. The band, which regularly receives a “superior” rating at state contest, will perform at district contest at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 11.

The Shawnee Symphonic Band, under the direction of Patricia Meeks, will perform “Who’s Who in Navy Blue” by John Philip Sousa, “The Eighth Candle” by Steven Reisteter, and “Fantastic Journey” by Erik Morales. The band, which also regularly receives “superior” ratings at state contest, will perform at district contest at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 12.

The Van Wert Symphonic Band, under the direction of Robert Sloan, will perform “Fugue in B-flat Major” by Johan Sebastian Bach, “Fantastic Journey” by Erik Morales, and “And Then the Ocean Glows” by Satoshia Yagisawa. The band, which has qualified for state 10 of the last 11 years, and earned a “superior” rating in seven state contests, will perform at district contest at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12.

For more information on this or other band events, visit the Van Wert bands website at www.vanwertbands.org, follow on Twitter at @vwbands or call the Van Wert City Schools Music Department at 419.238.3722.