Skip to Content Cal Poly News Search Cal Poly News Go California Polytechnic State University Feb. 5, 2003 Contact: Jo Ann Lloyd, (805) 756-1511 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cal Poly Wind Orchestra To Play Show Tunes, Carnegie Favorites in Concert March 1 SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly's Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Music Professor William V. Johnson, is planning a musical tour of New York City in a concert at 8 p.m. March 1 in Harman Hall of the Performing Arts Center's Christopher Cohan Center. The concert, billed "Broadway to Carnegie," will begin with the familiar tunes of hit Broadway musicals and finish with the "extraordinary repertoire the ensemble plans to perform in its April 3 Carnegie Hall concert," according to Johnson. Orchestral suites from "West Side Story," "The Producers" and "Phantom of the Opera" and a "Salute to Richard Rogers" will highlight the Broadway portion of the program. "The Carnegie Hall selections will pay tribute to the fallen heroes and survivors of 9/11," Johnson said. Selections will include Stephen Melillo's "Without Warning," Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" and David Maslanka's Symphony No. 4, based on the life and death of Abraham Lincoln. "Copland's 'Lincoln Portrait' includes music and spoken quotations that are as relevant today as they were when they were spoken by the 16th president," Johnson said. Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker will serve as narrator. "Maslanka's Symphony No. 4 uses three main themes, including one of his own, 'Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,' and a hymn tune by Bach," explained Johnson. "The composer says, 'For me, Lincoln's life and death are as critical today as they were more than a century ago. He remains a model for this age. Lincoln maintained in his person the tremendous struggle of opposites raging in the country in his time. He was inwardly open to the boiling chaos, out of which he forged the framework of a new unifying idea.'" The special benefit concert is being held to raise money to cover some of the expenses associated with the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra's trip to New York this spring to perform in a new music festival being produced by the World Projects Corp. The Cal Poly and University of Tennessee wind ensembles are the only two university ensembles to be invited to participate in the festival, which generally brings in musical groups from throughout the world to perform in the Sydney Opera House in Australia. "As a result of Sept. 11, World Projects decided to begin a new festival in New York City, bringing in wind bands from throughout the United States and Japan to perform in Carnegie Hall," Johnson said. "Cal Poly's invitation came as a result of its performance in the Sydney Opera House in June 2000, when it participated in the International Music Festival. "It's hard to believe that anything could top the experience we had performing in the Sydney Opera House in June 2000," Johnson said. "An evening concert in Carnegie Hall will certainly be on the same level and perhaps beyond." The cost per student, including airfare, is estimated at $1,100, or approximately $82,500 for all 75 participants. "All but $22,000 has been raised," Johnson said. "The orchestra is in need of support for this endeavor. Supporters are asked to consider sponsoring, or partially sponsoring, one or more of the members of the ensemble, and, if possible, seek matching funds from corporations." Contributions can be made by check, payable to Cal Poly, and mailed to Wind Orchestra Carnegie Hall Tour, Music Department, Cal Poly, CA 93407. Call Johnson at 756-2556 for additional information. Tickets to "Broadway to Carnegie" cost $9 to $19 and can be bought at the Performing Arts Ticket Office 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can also be bought online at www.pacslo.org <http://www.pacslo.org>. The concert is sponsored by the Cal Poly Music Department, College of Liberal Arts, and Instructionally Related Activities program. For more information, call the Cal Poly Music Department at 756-2607. - 30 (NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographers and reporters are welcome at the Wind Orchestra's rehearsals, 7-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in Room 216 of the Davidson Music Center on campus. For additional information, visit the Wind Orchestra's Web site at www.windorchestra.calpoly.edu <http://www.windorchestra.calpoly.edu>.) CP Home • CP Find It Get Adobe Reader • Microsoft Viewers Events • Recent Releases • Cal Poly Magazine • Cal Poly Update E-newsletter • Contact Public Affairs • Alumni • Giving • Athletics Cal Poly Public Affairs California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 805.756.7266 polynews@calpoly.edu