– photo by Jeff Primozich/For the Review

Mary Odunuga

The Linfield Concert Band celebrated the school’s 150th anniversary April 22 at the First Baptist Church, and continued the festivities with music from the Linfield Concert Band, Linfield Wind Symphony and acclaimed performers.

“This is a special sesquicentennial celebration and I (chose) songs from 50 years ago, which have a link to what is being celebrated today,” Professor of Music Joan Paddock said.

The night’s performance began with a “Generations Fanfare,” which honored the legacies of Linfield students and faculty. It was followed with the “Aurora Polonaise,” a song equally as old as the college.

“This song brings us back in time when dancing was the entertainment, and this music is for dancing,” Paddock said.

A song titled “In the Mornin’” concluded the wind symphony’s set. Originally written by Charles Ives, it was performed by soloist Jackie Van Paepeghem.

Paddock said she chose the songs for the concert for very distinct reasons. For example, she decided on “Overture: Italian in Algiers,” composed by Giacchino Rossini, because Rossini composed the piece when he was 21 years old, and he finished in 17 days.

“Blue Bells of Scotland,” played by trombone soloist Henry Henninger, was also performed by the group, as well as “Old Scottish Melody,” a traditional Scottish piece now sung by Americans primarily at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

The final piece performed during the program was the “Sesquicentennial Exposition March,” composed by John Philip Sousa.

Senior Gerald Turner, who plays the clarinet in the Concert Band, said he enjoyed
the performance.

“The repertoire was very interesting because the songs were all celebrating Linfield’s Sesquicentennial program,” he said.

Many students who attended the performance gave positive reviews.

“It was a very well done concert and I feel everyone represented Linfield well,” senior Breck Lindauer said.

Senior Abby Quick, who plays the trumpet in the Wind Symphony, said she liked the Italian overture.

“I like they way they sound, and they are really fun to play,” Quick said.

Senior Andrew Silkroski, who attended the concert, gave the performance a rave review. “The trombone soloist was wonderful,” he said.

Assistant editor Kelly Copeland contributed to
this story.