Trending
Love, loss and the search for light in a dark world will find expression in song today as Iowa Central Community College's music department presents "Love and Light."
The fall instrumental and vocal concert begins at 7 p.m. today in Decker Auditorium at the Iowa Central Community College Center for Performing Arts. Admission is free.
Alongside the choir's exploration of love and hope, the band will perform selections inspired by the changing seasons, American history and the legacy of a music educator with local ties.
"The Iowa Central Concert Choir is proud to present their Fall Concert Program: Love and Light," said Jacob Pedersen, director of vocal music. "Songs will be based around topics of love and loss and light in a dark world. We hope to see you there."
The choir's six selections will explore those themes through works including Susan LaBarr's "Love: Then and Still" and Kyle Pederson's "Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?"
In his program notes, Pedersen describes "Love: Then and Still" as an exploration of love and loss that also recognizes the value of having loved. "Can We Sing the Darkness to Light?" centers on the idea of loving one another rather than fighting.
The choral program also includes Michael John Trotta's "Caritas Abundat," Douglas Byler's "O Nata Lux," Rosephanye Powell's "Arise, Beloved!" and Elaine Hagenberg's "Alleluia." Shelly Bottorff will accompany the choir, with Justice Wells on percussion and Amanda Warren on violin for "Caritas Abundat."
For Paul Bloomquist, director of instrumental music, preparing the fall program begins with getting to know the ensemble.
"Every year is a new adventure to determine what the overall band will sound like and how to find music that is challenging and attainable in the time allowed," said Bloomquist.
The band will open with Robert Sheldon's "Fall River Overture," which reflects the transition from summer to autumn. Bloomquist's program notes encourage listeners to savor the season's colors before the snow begins to fly.
The ensemble will then connect Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Flourish for Wind Band" with Randall Standridge's "Awaken," written in honor of Ross Leeper.
Leeper taught in Eagle Grove and was active in the Fort Dodge area before teaching at Simpson College in Indianola. According to Bloomquist, "Awaken" reflects Leeper's love of traditional English band literature, with influences of Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.
"He had a significant impact on everyone he taught," said Bloomquist.
The band's program also includes "Midnight Ride," a musical interpretation of Paul Revere's ride popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, and Karl King's "Lexington March."
Even as students prepare for Thursday's performance, work on the upcoming Christmas concert is already underway.
"I’m very proud of the progress the students have made, and I’m equally excited to see where we will go this year," said Bloomquist. "Music for the Holiday Concert in December is already taking shape."
The college's "Sounds of the Season" holiday concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 4 in Decker Auditorium.
"We are off to another good year," said Bloomquist.