The Department of Performing Arts offered another flawless performance Nov. 12.
Faculty, family and friends gathered to attend a powerful and enticing performance by the AU Wind Ensemble, titled “At the Movies.” It was an entertaining rendition of movie soundtrack favorites.
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled into their seats, a group of 49 artists captivated the audience as they, under the direction of Professor Marc. F. Boensel, shuffled through eight diverse pieces. The scores presented included a number of genres.
Boensel said he believed it “would be very fun to do music from some really good scores. It is always nice to hear a song that reminds you about the characters you fell in love with after only two hours and the feelings you felt when you initially saw the movie.”
The program began with the merry “Overture to Barber of Seville.” composed by Gioachino Antonio Rossini. Boensel told the audience that he chose this piece because it was a perfect representation for the moment when music and plays first met to form a bond between different medium.
The second piece, “British Eighth” was played in honor of Veterans Day. Boensel stopped for a moment and pointed out the members of the audience who had served in the army. The piece was a march composed by Zo Elliott.
The remaining six pieces were reminders of some of the past few year’s most thrilling and, at times, emotional movies. They were:
• “Pirates of the Caribbean” composed by Klaus Badelt. This piece was not only excellently performed, but brought forward great joy and laughter. • “Avatar” composed by James Horner. • “Harry Potter” composed by John Williams. • “The Chronicles of Narnia” composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. • “The Lord of the Rings” composed by Howard Shore. • “Star Trek” composed by Michael Giacchino.
The last three were performed with such grace and eloquence that audience members could once again imagine themselves in the theaters awaiting the movies’ start.
“I want to thank all of them for such a great semester,” Boensel said as he gave his final remarks and thanked his group for all the hard work and dedication they show throughout the semester.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
