Second Wind Symphony Concert Hearkens Back to the Old Country

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The second of three concerts making up the 2018-19 season of the Northwest Wind Symphony is set to take place at 7 p.m. Saturday inside the Corbet Theatre of Centralia College. General admission tickets cost $12 and are available at the door as well as at Book ’n’ Brush in Chehalis.

The program, entitled “Our Forefathers — English Landscapes,” lists eight arrangements that pay tribute to the classical music traditions of England and how they shaped early musical trends in America.

“English culture was the dominant culture during the early days of (the United States),” said Dr. Dan Schmidt, who conducts the ensemble of musicians from across the Pacific Northwest three times each year. “We’re looking back at how English culture affected us, particularly in the music world. The whole philosophy of band music rather than orchestra music, that was perfected in England, which then came across the pond with early settlers.”

Those in attendance Saturday will hear snippets of music they may recognize from folk songs. Schmidt said a lot of traditional English music is centered around folk tunes and grew from that foundation.

The program features three pieces by Percy Grainger, an Australian-born composer who moved to England and helped bring British folk music back in style during the first half of the 20th century. Other highlights include the “Jupiter” movement of Gustav Holst’s “Symphony of the Planets” and “Sea Songs” by Thomas Knox.



Dr. Rob Davis, chair of the Visual and Performing Arts department at Lower Columbia College in Longview, will serve as guest conductor for “Hill Song 2” by Grainger and “Jupiter.” Davis also conducts the Southwest Washington Symphony in Longview.

“The conducting piece is old hat, but it will definitely be a new experience to get together with a group just for a day of rehearsal and performance,” Davis said. “I feel like each concert is really a celebration of whatever music we’re performing. We have a really strong contingent here in Longview, and I feel confident that up in the Centralia-Chehalis area as well, they have a dedicated group of people who provide amazing support in wanting to see classical groups thrive.”

Schmidt suggested people who may normally steer clear of classical music concerts give the one Saturday a try, because none of the pieces care the deep, heavy tones of a work by Ludwig van Beethoven or Johannes Brahms.

“People who come to this concert will recognize some of the tunes,” Schmidt said. “All of the songs are familiar, jaunty and vibrant. They may have even hummed parts of them as a kid.”