DuPage Community Concert Band Plays Works from Sousa to Sondheim May 2

DuPage Community Concert Band, under the baton of Dr. Mark A. Taylor, performs an excitingly diverse program for its spring concert at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 2.

"This band is a true reflection of our communities” says Taylor. “Undergraduate students, lifelong learners, college staff members, working parents, retirees, people of many neighborhoods and backgrounds – all coming together to connect with one another and create music. It's a great privilege to be able to do this every week, and then share our work with the public."

The program for the May 2 concert will feature the following works

“March: The Rifle Regiment” by John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)

According to an inscription on the printed music, this march, regarded as one of the “American March King’s” best works, was dedicated to the officers and men of the 3rd U.S. Infantry.

“To You, America!” by William Grant Still (1895-1978)

Still became the first Black composer to be commissioned by the West Point Band in 1952. That same year, he also became the first Black man to lead the band when he conducted the premiere of his work “To You, America!” at the band’s sesquicentennial celebration performance.

Theme from “The Mandalorian” by Ludwig Göransson (b. 1984)

Göransson is a Swedish composer who cites John Williams as an influence and is also known for composing the music for “Black Panther.” “The Mandalorian” is an American space Western television series and was the first live-action series in the “Star Wars” franchise.

“Sondheim!” A medley of works by Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

This Tony and Academy Award-winning American composer and lyricist is considered of the most important figures in 20th century musical theater and has been credited for having reinvented the American musical. Works showcased will be “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” “Putting It Together,” “Send in the Clowns,” “Old Friends,” the intro from “Into the Woods” and “Children Will Listen.”

“Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)

This Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor is among today’s most popular musicians. This work was inspired by the experience of Whitacre witnessing a desert cloudburst.

“Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’” by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Williams is among the best-known British symphonists. This work was played at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. It was also played at the weddings of her two sons: Prince William and Prince Harry.

“Metroplex” by Robert Sheldon (b. 1954)

An internationally recognized clinician, Sheldon’s music is performed around the world. This work is a musical portrait of Manhattan's cityscape, opening with a vision of the New York skyline, tall buildings, and concrete canyons that leads to an urban jazz scene in one of Harlem's clubs, and ends with a wild taxi ride through the heavy traffic.

Mark A. Taylor (director) received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2016 from the University of North Texas. Prior to his doctoral study, he served five years as Director of Bands and Coordinator of Ensembles at Loyola University Chicago and taught on the music education faculty at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Taylor received the Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he studied conducting. Taylor’s directing credits include Music Director of Milwaukee Festival Brass, an award-winning British-style brass band, and Music Director of the Waukegan Band, one of America’s oldest and most historic civic ensembles. Performance credits include section percussionist with the internationally award-winning Chicago Brass Band. Taylor and his wife and son reside in Lake Forest, Ill.

Founded in 1969, DuPage Community Concert Band exists to embrace and express all of the beauty and glory we can share through playing great music. Concerts feature entertaining music for audiences, as well as stimulating the performer that is consistent with the representation and growth of the college and community band. Membership is open to high school graduates with windwood, brass or percussion experience or to anyone who is otherwise qualified musically to register. Call 630.942.2048 for registration information.

DuPage Community Concert Band presents their spring concert Monday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage. Tickets are $7. $1 of each ticket sold supports the COD Applied Music Scholarship Fund to support music students who can’t afford private lessons. For tickets or more information, visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. Box Office is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to performance.