KSC’s Concert Band were instrumental heroes during their concert on Friday, Nov. 3 at the Redfern Arts Center Main Theatre.
The theme of the performance was centered around heroes at flight and featured music from movies such as “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Rocketeer,” and “Doctor Who.”
The ensemble began the night with “Theme from The Last Starfighter,” conducted by senior Michael Vlachos. The piece is from the 1984 science-fiction film and was composed to have “desired a sound even larger and grander than Star Wars, and utilized an unusually large orchestra,” according to the program notes.
Vlachos did not respond to The Equinox’s request for comment.
Following was “The Rocketeer” composed by James Horner, which sophomore french horn player Adam Labonte said was difficult to play rhythmically.
“I [had] a solo and there are two sections in the piece that have sextuplets [six notes on one beat] and that has required me to learn the technique of tonguing [controlling the airflow of the instrument with the tongue],” Labonte said.
The ensemble also performed the “Doctor Who Theme” under direction of student conductor and senior Angel Martino, and arranged by ensemble director Dr. John Hart.
Additionally, the performance featured composer Johan de Miej’s, “Symphony No. 1 ‘The Lord of the Rings’ 1. Gandalf (The Wizard).”
Concert Band ended the night with John Powell’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” a piece most beloved by the students themselves.
“‘How to Train Your Dragon’ really resonates with me,” Labonte said.
Technicality wise, this piece was the hardest for the ensemble as it was a collegiate level piece, Hart said.
“There’s a grading system so you know how difficult a piece is and it usually runs one to six… ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ is a grade six piece,” Hart said. “[They] were very motivated to go for this piece and to get into the practice room to overcome those challenges and make something really amazing.”
Labonte said that the piece has pushed him to work harder as a musician.
“[It] required me to improve as a horn player because it’s incredibly long and I ha[d] to maintain good breath support throughout the entire piece,” Labonte said. “It’s one of the hardest pieces I’ve ever had to play, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.”
Hart said that he hopes the audience left the performance with a new sense of adventure and empowerment.
“It’s all about that sense of fun… [in movies], the concept of flight represents to improve ourselves as human beings and to rise above and lift ourselves out of the mundane,” Hart said. “[Also] to seek the pinnacle of what humanity can be.”
Hart added, “One of the things I really enjoy about this music is that it’s got something for everyone.”
Labonte said that he hoped the audience could connect with the pieces.
“I think a lot of people know movies like ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings,”’ Labonte said. “I hope they come away thinking, ‘Oh that was really cool,’ and understand everything that the band was trying to say with those pieces.”
Nicole Dumont can be contacted at
ndumont@kscequinox.com
