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See that Cascade Winds banner over there to the right of this text? Click on it. There’s a concert coming up. I’m in the band. I’m a percussionist in the group — which really means I bang on stuff to sheet music — and have been for 15 years. It’ll be a great concert, and I encourage you all to come out (it’s family-friendly, so bring the kids). Full press release after the jump.

The Cascade Winds Symphonic Band will open their 2008-2009 season, under the baton of new music director Dan Judd, December 7, 2:00 p.m. at Summit High School auditorium. This concert is free of charge, although donations are gratefully accepted.

This season the Cascade Winds celebrate the selection of new music conductor Dan Judd. After an extensive tenure as a music teacher in Washington State, including election into the Washington Music Educator’s ‘Hall of Fame’, Judd is currently Director of Bands at Summit High School in Bend. A co-founder of the Northwest Wind Symphony, an award-winning community band in Western Washington, Mr. Judd has served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Northwest.

This first concert of the Winds season includes a variety of band standards, show tunes, orchestra transcriptions and marches that demonstrate the excitement and richness of great wind band literature. The program begins with Franz von Suppe’s famous “Light Cavalry Overture”. You will feel and hear the beat of the horse’s hooves in this classic overture from the 19th century. “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” will change the pace, as the band explores the rich beauty of Wagner’s piece from “Lohengrin”. Otto Schwarz’s “Roller Coaster” will actually take you on an unforgettable wild ride (however, you should remain seated throughout). Norman Dello Joio’s beautiful “Scenes from the Louvre” earned him an Emmy Award, and will conclude the first half of the concert.

We witnessed much excitement this year around the world regarding the Olympics, and the Winds will open the second half of the program with Samuel Hazo’s “Olympiada”, a spirited work featuring booming percussion, fanfare-like brass and soaring woodwinds. Jan Van der Roost’s “Spartacus” is an epic tone poem reminiscent of music from films like “Ben Hur”, “Quo Vadis” and “Spartacus”. It requires virtuosity from each player in the ensemble. Edwin Franko Goldman’s “On the Mall” March was arguably his most popular, and allows, nay demands, audience participation. Finally, Warren Barker’s very lovely arrangement of “Selections from Les Miserables” will conclude the concert.

These concerts are free, open to the public and suitable for all ages. For more information visit www.cascadewinds.org or call 593-1635. Summit High School is located at 2855 NW Clearwater Drive, Bend.

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