Shawn Vondran

Northwestern Bienen School of Music

Join us for an enchanting evening of music with the Symphonic Band's second winter-quarter performance on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 7:30pm CST at the prestigious Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Under the baton of Shawn Vondran, this concert promises a journey through a diverse musical landscape, beginning with Charles Ives's "Variations on America," a witty rendition that infuses the patriotic tune with unexpected harmonies and playful rhythms.

The night continues with Roshanne Etezady's "Against the Rain," a poignant piece inspired by Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Love Is Not All," exploring the depths of love's sacrifices and sufferings. The first half concludes with David Maslanka's "Traveler," a reflection on life's adventures, moving from vibrant energy to serene contemplation.

The second half is dedicated to Zhou Tian's "Sinfonia," a 2022 composition drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of cultural influences, including 1940s and '50s noir films, the bustling New York City subway, Shanghai's Mid-Autumn Festival, and the historic completion of the US's first transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Tickets are priced at $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid ID, but hurry as they are already sold out! The concert will take place at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208, United States. This 972-seat hall, nestled in the Arts Circle on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University, has been a beacon for music and culture since its inception in 1975, serving as a classroom and performance space for the Bienen School of Music's ensembles, faculty, festivals, and guest artists. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a night of exceptional music and artistic exploration.