Tusculum Band Program returns to the stage Thursday, April 28 for spring concert

After performing outdoors for the recent Old Oak Festival, the Tusculum College Band program will return to more familiar environs for its annual spring concert on Thursday, April 28.

The Concert Band, Jazz Band and Handbell Choir will be performing in the Band Program’s final concert on campus for the 2015-16 academic year in the auditorium in the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building. The concert, which begins at 7 p.m., is free and open to the public.

The Old Oak Festival served as an appetizer for the Spring Concert as extended sets by the Jazz Band and Handbell Choir featured some of the pieces they will be performing next Thursday while members of the Concert Band showed their skill and versatility during “Conduct Us,” a popular part of the Old Oak Festival that allows festival goers to try their hand at conducting the band.

After successful performances at the recent Old Oak Festival, the Tusculum College Concert Band (above), Jazz Band and Handbell Choir will be returning to the stage on campus for the spring concert on April 28. (Tusculum College photo)

Thursday’s performance will feature a variety of musical styles in the repertoire of the Concert Band, including the always popular “Phantom of the Opera” and the classic “Just a Closer Walk With Thee.” The Concert Band will also be performing “Into the Clouds,” “Perthshire Majesty,” “Lightning Field” and “Billboard March.”

Toes promise to be tapping during the Jazz Band’s performance, which will feature favorites such as “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” made famous by Duke Ellington, the Glen Miller signature tune, “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” and “September,” a hit for Earth, Wind & Fire. The Jazz Band’s set will also include the Big Band classic, “Big Noise from Winnetka;” “When I Fall in Love,” which won a Grammy in 1996 for the “duet” version by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole, and “Life Without You.”

The Handbell Choir’s performance will provide a taste of secular, Latin, popular and classical music with a twist. The choir will be performing “Pie Jesu,” “Sway,” “The Pink Panther Theme” and “PDQ Bells.”

The band program began in 2010 with the formation of a pep band and has grown to include the Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Handbell Choir and various small ensembles.