Mission Peak Wind Symphony's Wind and Percussion Musicians All Set to Give Best "Impressions" at Chabot College on January 23

Later this month, Mission Peak Wind Symphony (MPWS) will be celebrating its season opener ”Impressions” at Chabot College, featuring music by James Barnes Chance, Warren Benson, Frank Ticheli, and William Walton.

“Angels in the Architecture” (2009), written by Frank Ticheli, forms the cornerstone of MPWS’s upcoming concert. Wind and percussion musicians will be complemented by guest soprano Nicole Cheshire at this performance. “When MPWS was founded --- before we even had a membership --- I short-listed this masterpiece as one that I would definitely want to present when the group was ready for it,” explained co-founder and music director Travis Nasatir as he shared his insight into how the concert program was developed. ”Musically speaking, the group has really grown the last year, so when the piece was specifically requested by one of our members, I decided that we were up to the challenge.” Considering the range of age and skill level of the ensemble, performance of this piece promises to be an eye-opening experience, one that is expected to produce a lasting impression on the performers and the audience alike.

In order to facilitate the diverse selection of music for the season, MPWS members are given the opportunity to perform on some unusual wind instruments. These instruments enable them to produce such demanding music as the composers intended and with the quality it deserves. Among these special instruments are a Contrabass Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, E-Flat Clarinet and an English Horn. While a few high schools may have access to some of these instruments, they are more commonly available only at the college and professional levels. Yet they are now made available to our fine, young musicians thanks to the continuous support of the community.

The concert on January 23 will begin with guest performance by Hopkins Junior High School’s Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Gregory Conway. He was recently selected by California Association for Music Education Bay Section to receive the Gilbert T. Freitas Annual Memorial Award for Achievement in Instrumental Music Education --- on the same stage here at Chabot College. Here’s another reason to be impressed.

“Impressions” by Mission Peak Wind Symphony

Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Reed L Buffington Visual and Performing Arts Center

Chabot College

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

Free Admission. Open Seating.

www.missionpeakwinds.org