USM Wind Ensemble, old wine, and all that jazz

USM Wind Ensemble performs under the direction of Peter Martin, in a concert with  Barry Saunders Jazz Combo. The concert will be held in Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham campus on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 for the general public, and $3 for students, seniors, USM employees and alums.

The Wind Ensemble will open the program with a spirited and light-hearted collection of Gordon Jacob folk song settings called Old Wine In New Bottles. The British composer and Royal College of Music teacher of music theory and composition from 1926 to 1996 is known for adding much to the wind, solo brass and chamber ensemble repertoires.

Also on the program will be Walter Harley's Double Concerto, featuring students Carl Ferm on alto saxophone, and Nicholas Allen on tuba.

If old wine in new bottles is not enough to top off a pleasant Sunday afternoon concert, then Jacob's 1976 sequel, More Old Wine in New Bottles, should add an interesting flavor to the mix. Of course, with all that old wine, it is good that Dr. Martin's group will leave us with a healthy dose of Water Music by Malcolm Arnold to close the Wind Ensemble portion of the program.

We expect a similarly entertaining mix from the Barry Saunders combo, for memorable Sunday afternoon sure to delight a variety of musical tastes.

Tickets are $6 for general admission, $3 for seniors, students, and USM alumni faculty and staff. 

Members of the press, and those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Lori Arsenault, (207) 780-5142, larsenault@usm.maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646