From BGHS BANDS
The Bowling Green High School Band Concert will spotlight two student soloists when it performs Tuesday, May 9, BGHS Band Concert 7 p.m. in the BG Performing Arts Center.
The concert features the Jazz Cats, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band.
Composer Brant Karrick was guest clinician for the band in preparation for the concert.
The BG Symphonic Band conducted by Bruce Corrigan will open their portion of the program with “October” by Eric Whitacre. The pastoral melodies and subsequent lush harmonies were inspired by the great English romantic composers – Vaughan Williams and Elgar.
“The Old Grumbly Bear “written by Julius Fucik will feature the talents of Bobcat senior, Benjamin Bates, as a euphonium soloist.
Throughout his years in the Bowling Green Schools, Bates has performed on the trombone, euphonium, tuba, and sousaphone. He has played in the concert bands, jazz band, and Bobcat Marching Band. In addition, he has been a member of the Toledo Youth Symphony Orchestra, the BGSU Honors Bands, OMEA District 1 Middle School Honors Band, OMEA HS Honors Band, Capital University Honors Band, Ohio Northern University Honors Band, The Ohio State Honors Band, and performed with the Ohio State Marching Band in Sandusky.
Bates has been accepted into the BGSU College of Musical Arts and will be studying euphonium as a music education major. Benjamin has been studying privately with BGSU graduate student, Thomas Wheeler.
Bates is also active in Boy Scouts and currently working on his Eagle Scout project. His parents are Forrest and Vicky Bates and he has two younger brothers – Josiah and James (percussion).
“Epic Bacon Funk” by Benjamin Taylor shows off the talents of alto saxophonist Aidan Peper will be soloist. Peper started off his music career on piano in second grade, joined orchestra (viola) in fifth grade, and the band in sixth grade.
Throughout middle school and high school, Aidan has participated in many ensembles including: OMEA District 1 Middle School Honors Band, BGSU MS & HS Honors Orchestra, BGSU Academy Band, and the BGSU Honors Band, Capital University Honors Band, Ohio Northern University Honors Band, Bowling Green Area Community Band, and BiG Band BG.
As a senior, not only was he selected for the Ohio All State Band 2023 but as the first chair alto saxophonist. As a BGHS student, Peper has been active in Student Activities Board (vice president this year), Varsity Bowling (4 years, team captain this year), pit orchestra (four years), Bobcat Marching Band (currently drum major), chamber orchestra, symphonic band, jazz band, and a student aide for band.
Peper was recently awarded the Hansen Fellowship at BGSU, a full tuition scholarship awarded to select students who demonstrate both musical and academic excellence. Peper will be majoring in Music Education at BGSU and has been accepted in the saxophone studio of Dr. John Sampen. Peper has been studying privately with Stan George on saxophone for the past four years. Stan currently teaches music in the Perrysburg schools.
In addition to his musical achievements, Peper is a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. Peper is the son of Aaron and Kim Peper and his sister Ava Peper plays the flute & piccolo in the band.
Percy Grainger’s “Themes from ‘Green Bushes’ as described by the composer – “Among country-side folksongs in England, Green Bushes was one of the best known of folksongs — and well it deserved to be, with its fresh grace, its manly clear-cut lines. ‘Green Bushes’ strikes me as being a typical dance, a type of song come down to us from the time when sung melodies, rather than instrumental music, held countryside dancers together. It seems to breathe that lovely passion for the dance that swept like a fire over Europe in the Middle Ages — seems brimful of all the youthful joy and tender romance that so naturally seek an outlet in dancing.”
Composer Brant Karrick based his composition “J. S. Jig” on three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most recognized pieces – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” his fugue “Gigue (Jig) in G Major,” and a chorale. Karrick combines themes from these pieces in a stye reminiscent of an Irish Jig.
Closing out the symphonic band performance will be the official march of the United States Marine Corp – “Semper Fidelis” by John Philip Sousa.
The Bowling Green concert band will be conducted by Mrs. Samantha Preisner. Their song selections include “Kitty Hawk” by William Owens in which the audience will be transported back to December 17, 1903 – the day Orville and Wilbur Wright piloted the historic first airplane flight.
Randall Standridge’s “The Rowan Tree” is a setting of an old Scottish folk song. Closing their portion of the program will be “Pop Culture” by Robert Sheldon which includes various instrument features on songs that we all have heard and know in this clever arrangement.
The Bowling Green Jazz Cats have been led by Jennifer Metzger and will feature several soloists on each number.
On the program will be:
“A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie, edited by David Berger with soloists: Benjamin Bates, trombone; Kirby Bucks, trumpet; James Feehan, alto sax; Adin Metzger, guitar; and Joey Height, tenor sax
“Sultry Sunset” by Duke Ellington, transcribed by David Berger with soloist James Feehan, alto saxophone
“Prayer Meetin’” by Matt Harris with soloists: Isabella Espinosa, piano; Paul Guo, keyboard; Aidan Peper, alto sax; Benjamin Bates, trombone; and Kirby Bucks, trumpet.
