By Jaymes Grace
The Pima Community College Orchestra
On March 30 Pima Music presented its Spring Music Showcase at The Center for Performing Arts located at Pima Community College West Campus. Performing in order were the concert band, followed by the orchestra, chorale & college singers, guitar ensemble, jazz combo and the Mariachi ensemble.
Held in the Proscenium Theatre concert hall were both the concert band and the orchestra. To open, the concert band first performed a piece entitled “Keeper of the House”. It was a perfect opening for the showcase—gentle, soft and soothing. It had a renaissance sound with its use of fluted instruments and accompanying drums.
The Pima Community College Concert Band
The second piece called “Rippling Watercolors” was originally written for a high school band, but because of the depth of the piece it can be played by mature ensembles. There was an instrument that sounded like church bells, yet subtle. The piece had a wonderful flair that was captured by the band.
The last piece, as it should be for a concert band, was “The National Emblem March”.
The next performance was given by the orchestra. Their first piece was light and literally delightful; it actually made me muse to myself how I like being a reporter and getting the opportunity to cover events like the Music Showcase. The piece was entitled “Brandenburg Sinfonia from Cantata No. 174”, by J.S. Bach and arranged by Merle Issac.
That feeling I had, lasted throughout the orchestra’s performance. I don’t think that when one hears the word orchestra, they think relaxing; yet for me it was just that. I found the pieces to be gentle and inspiring. By the end of the third piece, I was so into it, I almost forgot to clap.
The orchestra closed with “Symphonic Dances from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’”, by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, arranged by Ira Hearshen. This rendition I simply loved.
For the chorale & college singers we moved into the 75-seat recital hall, which turned out to be standing room only. The singers sounded just beautiful and the pianist, a native of Tucson and graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in Piano Performance, played perfectly throughout the program.
Chorale & College Singers Director Dr. Jonathan Ng conducting at the showcase.
They ended with Mark Hayes’ “Danny Boy”, although often a sad song I always find it to be a delight. This rendition however, was light and reminiscent of a spring day.
“And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me” was the perfect expression of peace, for the last piece said “thank you and good afternoon, enjoy the rest of this brilliant day!”
Check out the next Pima music performance May 9 at 7 p.m. where the Mariachi ensemble will be performing at Pima West Campus. For more information visit PimaEngage.