The Sequim City Band, an ensemble of over 75 wind and percussion musicians directed by Tyler Benedict, will offer a free concert called “Dawn to Dusk” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 9 at the Port Angeles High School Performing Arts Center, 304 East Park Ave. The event will feature a diverse collection of musical works that explore the passage of time throughout the day, with the concert potentially extending into the night.
The band will perform a variety of pieces reflecting the changing hours. The concert opens with Franz von Suppé’s Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna, known for its lively and operatic style. This piece begins the performance with an energetic depiction of a bustling city, filled with vibrant melodies that embody Vienna’s festive atmosphere. It captures the dynamic transitions of a busy day, from early morning activity to midday’s energetic pace.
The program will showcase “Give Us This Day” by David Maslanka, an emotional and spiritual work that provides a powerful conclusion to the concert. This two-movement symphony, commissioned by a consortium of high school and college wind ensembles, has been widely performed since its 2006 premiere.
Though not explicitly programmatic, the symphony presents a rich symphonic character, with the first movement offering a meditative, introspective exploration, and the second movement oscillating between moments of joy and solemnity. It closes with a rendition of J.S. Bach’s chorale “Vater Unser” in Himmelreich (“Our Father in Heaven”), a fitting reflection of the work’s spiritual depth.
Other works on the program offer contrasting moments, mirroring the ebb and flow of the day. A peaceful, serene moment, capturing the tranquil atmosphere of dawn in the American Appalachian Mountains is found in Robert Sheldon’s “Appalachian Morning.” The work, with its gentle flowing themes and rich harmonic textures, offers a reflective moment that transports listeners to the quiet early hours of a mountain morning.
Randall D. Standridge’s “Havana Nights” transports the audience to the lively streets of Havana at dusk, offering an upbeat and rhythmic exploration of Cuban music. The vibrant sounds of the Caribbean come to life through lively syncopated rhythms and bold brass fanfares, capturing the energy and color of a warm tropical night. Conceived as both a concert work and a short ballet, the piece follows the character of Havana as she dances through the night, engaging in a flirtatious and rhythmic exchange with a fellow dancer. Inspired by Latin jazz legends like Tito Puente and Pérez Prado, “Havana Nights” celebrates the infectious spirit of mambo with lively rhythms and melodies that evoke the bustling energy of Havana’s mambo clubs.
The excitement of a traveling carnival is brought to life in “Circus Days” by Karl L. King. Known for his signature circus marches, King’s composition conjures the thrill of midday performances, complete with stirring brass lines and whimsical melodies that recall the sights and sounds of circus tents and parades.
In a more contemporary vein, “Voyage of the Northern Lights” by Isabella Piritta Morrill channels the mystique and awe of the aurora borealis with sweeping, ethereal melodies that shift between bright, expansive passages and dark, contemplative moments mirroring the changing hues of the northern sky as the day fades into night.
Bake sale
Additionally, the Port Angeles High School Band Boosters will host a bake sale in the Performing Arts Center lobby, with proceeds supporting the high school band’s travel fund for out-of-state performances. Concertgoers are encouraged to enjoy some homemade treats while supporting the talented student musicians.
For more information, visit sequimcityband.org or find the band on Facebook.
