Dana concert band to premiere ‘Renaissance’

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Dana School of Music Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave. The show will include the world premiere of a piece written by Youngstown State University faculty member Paul Louth.

Tickets are $7 ($6 for senior citizens and students) and will be sold at the door. Admission is free for anyone with a valid YSU identification card.

The Percussion Ensemble will perform compositions by living contemporary composers David Skidmore, Drew Worden, Ivan Trevino, Andrew Beall and Michael Burritt. It features students Evan McCreary and Tommy Starr on marimba.

The Concert Band will perform music by predominantly contemporary composers, including Frank Ticheli, David Holsinger, Ralph Vaughan Williams and YSU faculty member Paul Louth, who will guest conduct his own piece, “Industrial Renaissance,” in its world premiere.

“Industrial Renaissance” is a three-part piece depicting a cycle of booming industry, slow down and hopes for rebirth.

The first part, full of tense and percussive sounds, calls to mind the clamor of a factory floor with machines running nonstop.

It is followed by a darker, quieter movement based on a hauntingly simple, repetitive bass figure. Improvised segments by flutes, trumpet, vibraphone and snare drum represent creativity and industriousness in an attempt to bring the closed factory back to life.

The third movement is much brighter and more hopeful. Utilizing an exultant or futuristic-sounding scale, it builds to a triumphant conclusion.

Louth is an associate professor of music education at the Dana School of Music.

He earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of Toronto and a masters and doctorate from Western University.

Louth studied composition with Canadian jazz icon Phil Nimmons, and he has had commissioned work for school ensembles performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

Parking is available in adjacent lots. For information, call the YSU Office of Community Engagement and Events at 330-941-2307. A complete calendar of events is available at ysu.edu.