Symphonic Band Repertoire

The Symphonic Band at Eastern Michigan University performs the best of traditional and contemporary literature for the collegiate concert band. Selected to provide a setting for participating students to improve their own musical understanding and appreciation, repertoire showcases the special strengths of participating students and, on occasion, invited soloists and composers. The Symphonic Band performs on campus several times during the school year.

For complete repertoire, please click on a specific year.

  • 2023

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    Winter

    Thursday, February 22, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    Origin for Brass and Percussion (2022) - Cait Nishimura
    Washington Grays March (1856) - Claudio Grafulla
    Windows to Heavan (2010) - Lindsay Bronnenkant
    The Machine Wakes (2012) - Steven Bryant
    English Folk Song Suite (1924) - Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    Cantamount Chaos (2017) - Nathan Daughtrey
    In Two Places (2016) - Haley Woodrow
    An American Tapestry (2004) - Daniel Kallman
    A Lovely Rose (2004) - Chen Qian
    Symphonic Dance No. 3 "Fiesta" (1964/1967) - Clifton Williams

     

    Fall
    Sunday, October 12, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Monuments"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    Florentiner March (1907/1999) - Julius Fuçík/ed. Bourgeois
    Adoration (1951/2022) - Florence Price/trans. Williams 
    The Great Unconformity (2017) - Ryan Lindveit
    Capriol Suite for Wind Dectet (1926/2003) - Peter Warlock/arr. Geddes
    Second Suite in F (1911/1984) - Gustav Holst/ed. Matthews

     

    Saturday, November 18, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Bandorama"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    Astra (2023) - Katahj Copley
    Second Suite in F (1911/1984) - Gustav Holst/ed. Matthews

     

    Sunday, December 3, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "starLIGHT"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    Astra (2023) - Katahj Copley
    dream of ember, dream of star (2021) - David Biedenbender
    Russian Christmas Music (1944) - Alfred Reed

  • 2022

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    Winter
    Thursday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "with spirit and song"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Esprit de Corp (1984) - Rober Jager
    • Sea Songs (1924) - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    • Tirana (2005) - Carol Barnett
    • Amazing Grace (1994) - Frank Ticheli
    • Bridges (2022) - Katahj Copley

    Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Earthly Wonders"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Mother Earth (2003/2006) - David Maslanka
    • Diamond Tide (2015) - Viet Cuong
    • Violent Shadows (2017/2019) - Chris Evan Hass
      • Elijah Emmons, bass trombone
    • Star Wars: The Marches (1977) - John Williams/arr. Brubaker

     

    Fall

    Sunday, October 16, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "woodspired"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • The Redwoods (2006) - Rossano Gallante
    • October (2000) - Eric Whitacre
    • Wilderness (2021) - Cait Nishimura
    • Divertimento (1950) - Vincent Persichetti
    • Incantation and Dance (1963/2011) - John Barnes Chance
       

    Saturday, November 19, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Bandorama"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • The Redwoods (2006) - Rossano Gallante
    • Chorale and Shaker Dance (1972) - John Zdechlik
       

    Sunday, December 4, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Within the Village"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Albanian Dance (2005) - Shelley Hanson
    • Mysterious Village (2007) - Michael Colgrass
    • Sol y Sombra (2014) - Donald Grantham
    • Chorale and Shaker Dance (1972) - John Zdechlik
  • 2021

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    Winter

    Sunday February, 20, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Looking Back"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Early Light (1999) - Carolyn Bremer
    • Eternity in an Hour (2016) - Nicole Piunno
    • Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Dune (1903/1936) - Percy Grainger
    • Country Gardens (1923/1999) - Percy Grainger
    • American Hymnsong Suite (2007) - Dwayne Milburn

    Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "...be apart of it"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • The Hounds of Spring (1981) - Alfred Reed
    • New York from a Distance (2017) - Daniel Dade
    • Elegy for a Young American (1967) -Ronald Lo Presti
    • New York Hippodrome (1915/2000) - John Phillip Sousa

     

    Fall

    Sunday, October 17, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Reflections"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Stained with Light (2020) - Aaron Perrine
    • Prelude and Fugue in G Minor (ca. 1707) - J.S. Bach/Moehlmann
    • Tapestries (2018) - Haley Woodrow
    • This Cruel Moon (2017) - John Mackey
    • Armenian Dances, Part I (1972) - Alfred Reed

     

    Saturday, November 20, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Bandorama"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Stained with Light (2020) - Aaron Perrine
    • Give Us This Day (2006) - David Maslanka

     

    Sunday, December 5, 3:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Inspired"

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Spring Festival (2000) - Chen Yi
    • Shenandoah (2019) - Omar Thomas
    • Give Us This Day (2006) - David Maslanka
  • 2020

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    Fall

    Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Symphonic Band did not present a concert this semester.

    Winter

    Friday, March 12, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium (virtual/streamed)

    Joint Concert with EMU Concert Band

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Salvation is Created (1912) - Pavel Tschesnokoff/arr. Houseknecht
    • Superior for Percussion Ensemble (2018) - Katherine Bergman
    • Letter from Sado (2006) - Jodie Blackshaw

     

    Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium (virtual/streamed)

    Joint Concert with EMU Concert Band

    J. Nick Smith, conductor

    • Kirkpatrick Fanfare (1999/2001) - Andrew Boysen, Jr.
    • Prelude and Fugure in Bb Major (1988) - Johann Sebastian Bach/arr. Moehlmann
    • Ghost Apparatus (2017) - David Biedenbender

     

  • 2019

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    Winter

    February 17, 2019, 4:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Out of the Darkness"

    Derek Shapiro, conductor

    • Toccata marziale (1924) - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    • Prelude and Fugue in F Minor (1960) - Houston Bright
    • Luminescence (2009) - David Biedenbender
    • Second Suite in F for Military Band, op. 28, no. 2 (1911) - Gustav Holst
      • March
      • Song Without Words, "I'll love my love"
      • Song of the Blacksmith
      • Fantasia on the 'Dargason'
  • 2018

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    Fall

    November 17, 7:00 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandorama

    Derek Shapiro, conductor 

    • Canzona (1954) - Peter Mennin
    • Pageant, op. 59 (1954) - Vincent Persichetti
    • We Seven (2014) - Derek Jenkins
    • Slava! (1977) - Leonard Bernstein/trans. Grundman

    October 16, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Move"

    Derek Shapiro, conductor

    • Melodious Thunk (2012) - David Biedenbender
    • Cheetah (2007) - Karel Husa
    • Entry March of the Boyars (1893/1990) - Johan Halvorsen
    • Selections from "The Danserye" (1551/2002) - Tielman Susato/arr. Dunnigan
      • I. La Morisque
      • II. Bergerette
      • III. Les quatre Branles
      • V. Den hoboecken dans
      • VI. Ronde & Aliud
      • VII. Basse danse: Mon desir
      • IX. Pavane: La Battaille

    Winter

    April 8, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Alumni Band Concert

    Derek Shapiro, conductor

    • Flourish (1939) - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    • Sea Songs (1923) - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    • Heroes, Lost and Fallen (1990) - David R. Gillingham
    • On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (1989) - David R. Holsinger
    • Candide Suite (1956/1993) - Leonard Bernstein/Grundman
      • I. The Best of All Possible Worlds
      • II. Westphalia Chorale and Battle Scene
      • III. Auto-da-fé
      • IV. Glitter and Be Gay
      • V. Make Our Garden Grow 

    February 11, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Derek Shapiro, conductor

    • Mini-Suite (1968) - Morton Gould
    • House plants in terracotta pots (2014) - Roy Magnuson
    • Suite Concertante (1967) - Václav Nelhýbel
      • I. Allegro
      • II. Grave
      • III. Allegro con bravura
      • IV. Adagio
      • V. Andante moderato
    • Komm, süßer Tod, BWV 478 (1735) - J.S. Bach/Reed
    • Three Miniatures (1990/1992) - Anthony Plog
    • Evan Balash, tuba - William Stewart Competition Winner
    • Scenes from "The Louvre" (1965) - Norman Dello Joio
      • I. The Portals
      • II. Children's Gallery
      • III. The Kings of France
      • IV. The Nativity Paintings
      • V. Finale
  • 2017

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    Fall

    November 18, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandorama

    Derek Shapiro, conductor 

    • Gallito (2003) - Santiago Lope/De Vuyst
    • Aria de chiesa (2008) - Stradella/Fraschillo
    • Chorale and Shaker Dance (1972) - John Zdechlik
    • Air for Band (1956) - Frank Erickson
    • Symphonic Dance no. 3 (1967) - Clifton Williams 

    October 15, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Derek Shapiro, conductor

    • Liturgical Music, op. 33 (1967) - Martin Mailman
      • I. Introit
      • II.Kyrie
      • III. Gloria
      • IV. Alleluia
    • Sketches on a Tudor Psalm (1971) - Fisher Tull
    • Prelude and Fugue in G Minor BWV 558 - J.S. Bach/Moehlmann
    • Theme and Fantasia (1965) - Armand Russell
    • Variations on a Korean Folk Song (1967) - John Barnes Chance 

    Winter

    April 9, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Alumni Band Concert

    Amy M. Knopps Conductor

    • Beyond the Horizon - Rossano Glante
    • Contre Qui Roe - Morten Lauridsen, trans. H. Robert Reynolds
    • Three Dances of Enchantment - Luigi Zaninelli
      • I. The Via Venteo (Fox Trot)
      • II. She Walks Through the Fair (Waltz)
      • III. The Feast of San Rocco (Tarantella)

    February 12, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Lift Off - Roger Zare
    • The Spheres - Ola Gjeilo
    • Escapades from Catch Me If You Can - John Williams
    • A.J. Pratt, alto saxophone; William Stewart Undergraduate Soloist Competition Honorable Mention
    • Vulcan - Michael Daugherty
      • I. Pon Farr
      • II. Mind Meld
      • III. Vulcan's Forge
  • 2016

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    Fall 

    November 12, 7 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandoroma

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Elixir - Michael Markowski
    • Only Light - Aaron Perrine
    • Rikudim - Jan Van der Roost
      • I: Andante Moderato
      • II: Allegro con Eleganza
      • III: Andante con dolcezza
      • IV: Con moto e follemento

    October 16, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Twilight in The Wilderness" 

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Mother Earth Fanfare - David Maslanka
    • Dusk - Steven Bryant
    • Faroe Island Dance - Percy Graniger
    • Harvest Hymn - Percy Grainger, trans. Joseph Kreines
    • Themes from "Green Bushes" - Percy Grainger, arr. Larry D. Daehn
    • Twilight in the Wilderness - Christopher Tucker 

    Winter

    April 10, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Alumni Band Concert

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor 

    • Canzona - Peter Menin
    • O Magnum Mysterium - Morten Lauridsen
    • Suite of Old American Dances - Robert Russell
    • A Musical Toast - Leonard Bernstein, arr. Clare Grundman

    February 14, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Tangents - Roger Zare
    • Acrostic Song from Final Alice - David Del Tredici
    • Concerto in D Major, Op. 283 - Carl Reinecke, Timothy Mullins, flute
    • I. Allegro Molto Moderato
    • Shortcut Home - Dana Wilson
    • To set the darkness echoing - Dana Wilson
  • 2015

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    Fall 

    November 21, 7 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandoroma

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • "Adrenaline City"
    • Lament for Wind Orchestra—Chang Su Koh
    • Aurora Awakes—John Mackey
    • Adrenaline City—Adam Gorb

    October 18, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Dream Journey"

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Overture for Winds—Felix Mendelssohn/arr. by Boyd
    • Sleep—Eric Whitacre
    • Dream Journey—James Barnes
    • Mysterious Village—Michael Colgrass
    • Heart Songs—David Maslanka
      1. Quiet Song
      2. Song with Variations
      3. Heart Song
    • Radiant Joy—Steven Bryant

    Winter

    April 12, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium 

    Alumni Concert

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Children's March: "Over the Hills and Far Away" - Percy Grainger
    • Three Chorale Preludes, Op. 122 - Johannes Brahms
    • Night Dances - Bruce Yurko
    • Four Scottish Dances - Malcolm Arnold

    February 15, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Esprit de Corps - Robert Jager
    • Moonscape Awakening - Joni Greene
    • Bennu's Fire Concerto for clarinet and symphonic band - Roger Zare, Jeremy Gdaniec clarinet
      • II. Pheonix Song
    • Suite Francaise - Darius Milhaud
      • I. Normandie
      • II. Bretagne
      • III. Ile De France
  • 2014

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    Fall

    November 22, 7 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandorama

    Amy M. Knopps Conductor

    • Spoon River - Percy Grainger, arr. by Glenn Cliffe Bainum
    • Second Prelude - George Gershwin, arr. by John Krance
    • Dancin' Into the '20s: A Ragtime Music Revue - arr. by Donald Hunsberger
    • I. Picalilli Rag
    • II. Richard's Tango
    • III. Waltz Set
    • IV. Hunkatin

    October 19, 4 p.m. Pease Auditorium

    Celebrate!

    Amy M. Knopps, Conductor

    • Celebration Overture, Op. 61 - Paul Creston
    • Sure on this Shining Night - Samuel Barber arr. by Richard Saucedo
    • Dancin' Into the '20s: A Ragtime Music Revue - Donald Hunsberger
    • III. A Waltz Set - Music of Victor Herbert
      • a. "A Kiss in the Dark" from Orange Blossoms
      • b. "For I'm Falling in Love" from Naughty Marietta
      • c. "Kiss Me Again" from Mme. Modiste
      • d. "When You're Away" from The Only Girl
    • IV. Hunkatin - A Half Tone One-Step - Sol P. Levy
    • Krump - Scott McAllister
    • Clowns - Philip Parker

    Winter 

    April 13, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Alumni Concert

    Amy M. Knopps, Conductor

    • Early Light - Carolyn Bremer
    • Chorale and Alleluia - Howard Hanson
    • Country Gardens- Percy Grainger
    • Ye Banks and Braes O' Bonnie Doon - Percy Grainger
    • Tempered Steel - Charles Young

    February 16, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Colin Guimond, William Stewart Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winner
    • Lauds - Ron Nelson
    • Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach, arr. Alfred Reed
    • Afterlight - William Pitts
    • Fantasia di Concerto - Eduardo Boccalari
    • Colin Guimond, euphonium
    • William Stewart Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winner
    • Do Not Go Gentle into that Goodnight - Elliot Del Borgo
      • IV. Alsace-Lorraine
      • V. Provence
  • 2013

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    Fall

    November 16, 7 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Bandorama

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Shortcut Home - Dana Wilson
    • Incantation and Dance - John Barnes Chance
    • Conversations with the Night - Andrew Boysen, Jr.
    • Metroplex - Robert Sheldon

    October 20, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium 

    "New Perspectives"

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor
    Beth Everett, conductor

    • Whirlwind - Steven Bryant
    • Redwood - Ryan George
    • Divertimento for Band - Vincent Persichetti
    • The Spheres - Ola Gjeilo
    • Instinctive Travels - Michael Markowski
    • Stomp Your Foot - Aaron Copland

    Winter

    February 17, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, Conductor

    • Tocatta Marziale - Ralph Vaughan Williams
    • Sketches on a Tudor Psalm - Fisher Tull
    • Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in f minor, Op. 73 - Carl Maria von Weber
    • Sarah Hardaker, Clarinet
    • William Stewart Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winner
    • Medium Funk Prelude - Paul Richards
    • After a Gentle Rain - Anthony Iannaccone
      • I. The Dark Green Glistens with Old Reflections
      • II. Sparkling Air Bursts with Dancing Sunlight
  • 2012

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    Fall 

    October 21, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    "Tributes and Memorials"

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor
    Beth Everett, conductor

    • Danza No. 2 - Bruce Yurko
    • Come Sweet Death - J.S. Bach, arr. Alfred Reed
    • Fugue a la Gigue - J.S. Bach, trans. Gustav Holst, ed. Jon Ceander Mitchell
    • A Movement for Rosa - Mark Camphouse
    • Song of Democracy - Howard Hanson
    • Battle Hymn of the Republic - William Steffe, arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

    Winter 

    February 19, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium 

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • Psalm for Band - Vincent Persichetti
    • Rest - Frank Ticheli
    • Tuba Concerto, Movement I - Edward Gregson
    • Brian Gorski, Tuba 2011 William Stewart Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winner
    • Paris Sketches - Martin Ellerby
    • Pas Redouble — Camille Saint-Saens, arranged by Arthur Frackenpohl

    April 15, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Alumni Honors Concert

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • An Original Suite - Gordon Jacob
    • Elegy - James Barnes Chance
    • Undertow - John Mackey
  • 2011

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    Fall

    November 19, Pease Auditorium, 7 p.m.

    Bandorama

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor

    • The Merry Widow - Franz Lehar, Arranged by Eiji Suzuki
    • The Seal Lullaby - Eric Whitacre
    • Scenes from "The Louvre" - Norman Dello Joio

    October 23, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium

    Amy M. Knopps, conductor
    Mary K. Schneider, guest conductor

    • Festivo - Edward Gregson
    • Rhosymedre - Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arranged by Walter Beeler
    • Handel in the Strand - Percy Grainger
    • L’Inglesina - David Delle Cese 
    • Nimrod from “Enigma Variations - Edward Elgar, Arranged by Alfred Reed
    • Second Suite in F for Military Band - Gustav Holst

 

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