Linfield Band continues ‘Elements’ theme in spring concert

Kellie Bowen, Arts & Entertainment editor

Three students were assigned a song to conduct during the Linfield band’s spring concert on April 12 in Ice Auditorium.

The concert was titled “The Elements, Part II” in correspondence to the concert choir’s PLACE-themed performance.

Music professor Joan Paddock cued the band into their first song, “Flashing Winds,” by Ian Van der Roost. This was a triumphant and lively beginning for the concert with a soothing middle eight.

The second song, “Sheltering Sky” by John Mackey is a dreamy tune with a hazy melody. The trumpets mostly sat back for the majority of the song, but the cornet was able to steal the show a little in this piece.

“Earth Dance” by Michael Sweeny was extremely similar, but a little more pep, to the song “Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre that Linfield’s Concert Choir sung in their home tour show. Chimes, snapping, mimicking thunder and wind were added to an Amazonian-beat and a floating melody. It almost sounded like a soundtrack to “Planet Earth.”

Ana Ramirez, ’18, conducted “Air,” one of three movements from Brian Balmages’ “Petite Symphony (The Elements).” It was a flirty and staccato song with intensity and growth, but ended on a lighter note.

Jamie Bostock, ’17, conducted “Water,” which was a smooth composition much like a flowing river. The melody and harmony sounded like they were all played continuously with one breath.

Sophia Reinhardt, ’18, conducted the cheery and playful march, “Earth.” It is comparable to the Disney song “Pink Elephants on Parade” from the movie “Dumbo.”

“Fuego del Alma” by Carl Strommen had a fiery start with a loud and demanding brass. Justin Grodem, ’19, embedded a couple of small solos in the song, which added a Hispanic flare. The piece ended with just as loud of a bang as it began with.

The band ended with a montage of Disney’s “Frozen” songs, after flowers were passed out to the graduating band members.