Parkland College Ensembles Offer Free Concerts in Early March
Parkland College's Spring 2024 concert season begins in early March with ensemble concerts to delight the ears.
“Let My Love Be Heard”
A Joint Concert by Parkland Chamber Singers, Guitar Ensemble, CrUUners, Amasong, and choral ensembles from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign
Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m.
McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church
801 S. Fifth St., Champaign
The Parkland Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Frank Gallo, will perform “Fair Phyllis” by John Farmer; “Ubi Caritas” by Ola Gjeilo; and “Love: Then and Still” by Susan LaBarr. The CrUUners will perform “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, arranged by Yumiko Matsuoka, and “O My Luve's Like a Red, Red Rose,” with words by Robert Burns and music by Rene Clausen.
The Unitarian Universalist Choir, directed by Dr. M.R. Rowland, will perform “The Water is Wide,” and American Folk Song arranged by Greg Gilpin; “Beachcombers,” with words by Laura Feldman and Amy F. Bernon and music by Amy F. Bernon; and “Grow” by Ayrian Norman. The Amasong Choir, directed by Heidi M. Weatherford, will perform “Hotura Koi,” a Japanese folk song; “Oy Khodyt Son,” a traditional Ukrainian song arranged by Sarah Tenant-Flowers; and “Bright Morning Stars” Traditional, arranged by The Wailin’ Jennys.
All choir groups will conclude the concert with “Let My Love Be Heard” by Jake Runestad.
The Parkland Guitar Ensemble, directed by Dr. Young Kim, will perform “All in a Garden Green” a 16th-century English air; “Badinerie” by Pieter Van Der Staak; and “Blackberry Blossom” Traditional, “Cooley's Reel” Traditional, “Jim Hodder’s Favorite” Traditional, and “Midnight Blue” by Kenny Burrell.
“Musical Travels”
A Joint Concert by Parkland Orchestra, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble
Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m.
U-wing Cafeteria at Parkland College
The Parkland Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Jonathan Beckett, will perform “Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2” by Alexander Scriabin, arranged for band by Alfred Reed, a relaxing introspective piece; excerpts from the finale of Antonin Dvorak's “Symphony No. 5 in E Minor,” featuring themes both familiar and intense; “Danzas Cubanas” by Robert Sheldon, a set of 3 original movements rich in syncopated rhythms of the clave, the basis for this high energy Afro-Cuban music; “MacArthur Park” by Jimmy Webb, which features sections that change in time and mood.
The Parkland Orchestra, directed by Dr. Rodney Mueller, will perform “Andalucia Suite” by Ernesto Lecuona, orchestrated by Gordon Jenkins; “Granada (Serenade)” from “Suite Espagnole, Op. 47” by Isaac Albeniz, orchestrated by Clark McAlister; “Ritual Fire Dance” from “El Amor Brujo” by Manuel de Falla, orchestrated by William Ryden; “Spanish Dance No. 1” from “La Vida Breve” by Manuel de Falla, orchestrated by Carl Simpson; “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” from “Man of La Mancha,” with words by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh, arranged by Victor Lopez.
The Parkland Concert Band, directed by Dr. Matthew Dixon, will perform “Lights Out March” by Earl E. McCoy; “Moonrise” by Harold L. Walters; “In the Shining of the Star” Robert Sheldon; “In Dreams” by Cait Nishimura; and “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modeste Moussorgsky and Mark H. Hindsley.
For more information on Parkland College music ensemble performances, please visit parkland.edu/musicensembles.