UK Bands present the world premiere of Spanish Dances II in back-to-back concerts
The University of Kentucky Bands will present two concerts on Sunday, October 18, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. The UK Wind Symphony presents “Spanish Dances II” beginning at 3 p.m. The program title comes from the world premiere of Luis Serrano Alarcón’s “Spanish Dances Book 2,” which will be featured in the concert, with the composer in residence. At 7:30 p.m., the Concert Band and Symphony Band will present the varied program “Radiance.”
Taking inspiration from traditional and historic Spanish dance music, Serrano Alarcón’s “Spanish Dances Book 2” showcases music inspired by Seguidillas, Zambra, and Muiñeira. The piece was commissioned by a consortium of eighteen universities across the United States, including the University of Louisville, Texas A&M University, the University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University. As the facilitating member of The College Band Directors National Association Consortium for “Spanish Dances Book 2,” Birdwell earned the honor of performing the world premiere of the resulting composition with the UK Wind Symphony.
Under Director of Bands, Dr. Cody Birdwell, graduate conductor Zachary Zielinski, and featured guest Luis Serrano Alarcón, the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony will perform Paul Hindemith’s landmark composition “Symphony in B-flat,” David Dzubay’s “RA!,” and Joaquin Turina’s “La Procession du Rocio.”
In “Radiance,” the UK Concert Band, conducted by Prof. Alex Mondragon, with graduate teaching conductor Jalen Allred, will perform a program including David Maslanka’s “Illumination,” Susan LaBarr’s “Grace Before Sleep,” Kevin Poelking’s “The Clouds Are Near,” Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia” and John Philip Sousa’s “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.” The UK Symphony Band, under the direction of Dr. Shayna Stahl, with graduate teaching conductor Andrew Vinopal, will present Robert Jager’s “Esprit de Corps,” David Biedenbender’s “Before the Dawn,” Harry L. Alford’s “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise” and Yasuhide Ito’s “Gloriosa.”
The University of Kentucky Bands program represents over 400 students from across campus through opportunities such as the Wildcat Marching Band, the UK Pep Band, UK Wind Symphony, UK Symphony Band, and the UK Concert Band. To learn more about program offerings, ensembles, or concerts, visit finearts.uky.edu/ukbands for more information.
Tickets can be purchased through the Singletary Center Ticket Office by calling 859-257-4929 or through their website at finearts.uky.edu/singletary-center.
