Arts

Academy Concert Band Enchants With Popular Movie Scores

In celebration of a successful year, the Academy Concert Bands transformed the Cochran Chapel into a movie theater with energizing renditions of classic and contemporary film scores.

The concert’s repertoire included numerous well-known scores from movies such as “Harry Potter,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Wizard of Oz,” as well as a student-composed piece “Theme and Variations on Vladimir Shaisky’s ‘Gena the Crocodile’s Song,’” written by Mari Funabashi ‘13.

L’Insieme Di Martedi Sera, a small group of brass, woodwind and percussion players directed by Derek Jacoby, Instructor in Music, played “Harry’s Wondrous World,” by John Williams.

The well-known composition varied from mezzo forte to forte, and vibrant staccato notes punctuated the legato of the melody. Drum rolls and triangle chimes built to the climax of the piece, capturing the magic of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

“[The atmosphere of the concert] was very celebratory. I think because it’s the final concert of the year the students were more relaxed and happy, and not as stressed out as they were in earlier concerts. I liked the Harry Potter piece the most, because I’m a big Harry Potter fan,” said Deborah Conners, mother of Kayleigh Bishop ’16, a member of L’Insieme di Martedi Sera.

In addition to performances from L’Insieme Di Martedi Sera and the Academy Concert Band, the Academy Flute Ensemble performed Funabashi’s own composition.

Funabashi avant-garde piece focused on a central motif. The various flutes wove and modified the motif, complicating it as the piece progressed.

“The motif, which was ornamented in many different ways to produce variations, drove the piece forward and didn’t leave room for the audience to rest after a satisfying, simple chord progression as so many classical compositions did,” said Nathan Sheng ’14.

The Academy Concert Band returned to movie scores by playing “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” by Howard Shore. The synchronized harmonization of the instruments during the theme produced a wholesome, bellowing sound juxtaposed against occasional thin, eerie notes during the clarinet and flute solos.

“The kids wanted to do ‘The Lord of the Rings’ tune, so we did that. I often like to end with a march because they’re written so well for bands. Also, the band sounds comfortable in them most of the time, so it’s a great way to end the concert,” said Vincent Monaco, Director of the Academy Concert Band and Instructor in Music.