Concert, symphonic bands cover Greek myth, classical pieces

The Jacobs School of Music Concert and Symphonic Bands treated their audience to a variety of classical pieces Tuesday night at the Musical Arts Center. 

Jacobs graduate student Joni Greene composed the piece, “Circean Waters” while studying under Dr. Paul Popiel, who conducted the Concert Band.

The Concert Band also performed pieces by Karel Husa, Johann Sebastian Bach and Gustav Holst.  The Symphonic Band captured the ears of the audience after intermission with pieces by John Estacio, Anthony Iannaccone and Jules Massenet.
 
Junior Zach Jakubiak said he enjoyed the music because he appreciates the selection. Jakubiak, who is also studying the horn, said he came to the concert to lend support to the musicians.

“Half of the people onstage are my friends,” he said.

Junior Ryan O’Connell said that most students associate the Concert and Symphonic Bands with being the lowest rated of the student bands at Jacobs. He said that he didn’t understand that because all of the bands do a good job.

“The players are fantastic,” O’Connell added.

The audience also had the chance to meet and talk with Greene, who attended the concert to hear her piece premiered.  Green said that she enjoyed taking the tale of Homer’s “The Odyssey” and transforming it into a powerful piece of classical music.

“It’s a really good opportunity to write force,” she said.

Greene added that being a saxophone student led her to love highlighting different colors and textures in music, while the background of the Siren enchantresses was good inspiration.

“It’s something I’ve always loved,” she said.