USD brass to perform

This year’s schedule has presented some unusual challenges for the USD Brass Ensemble. The band has only been practicing since the end of winter break and they only practice two times a week for one hour.

But even as they race against time at the University of South Dakota, the sounds of the brass band will ring in Aalfs Auditorium.

The group will be performing their annual winter concert in Slagle Hall Feb. 14. The band consists of a mix of trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and tubas. About 20 students, ranging from first-years to graduate students, will perform a variety of songs during the hour and a half long show.

One such song is “Remembrances and Praises,” which was written by former USD professor Steven Yarbrough. It was originally performed during the dedication of newly renovated Old Main back in the late 90s.

“It is a fantastic piece written by one of our own faculty,” junior Becca Lunstrum said. “It has moments of excitement and beauty and I look forward to performing it in our concert.”

The ensemble will also perform a piece originally written for orchestra by the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky called “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  The ensemble will also perform “Shepard’s Hay” by Percy Grainger and a jazzy piece titled “Three Brass Cats,” by Chris Hazel.

“If I don’t have a themed program, I make one that has a lot of variety from many different styles,” Director of Bands Rolf Olson said.

As an added challenge, for the four days before the concert, the entire band will be performing in western South Dakota in the Black Hills, so they won’t be able to get any practice in during the trip and will miss their normal Tuesday practice the day before the event.

But the schedule doesn’t have graduate student Erik Mahon worried. He said the band is only as strong as their weakest link, and they all will rise to the occasion. In fact, the strenuous conditions can result in added benefits.

“It’s how you channel the nerves that can make you great,” said senior trombone player John Mathews. “In the professional music world, you are expected to be able to put together a quality product on fewer rehearsals than we have had for the USD Brass Winter Concert.”

Director Olson agreed and said pressure makes for a better show.

“Because we don’t have near the practice we’d normally have before, it will be an exciting concert,” Olson said.

Lunstrum also feels the stress will make her perform better than usual.

“The earlier deadline is helping us prepare for the professional world’s expectations,” she said.

Olson said the music the students will perform is challenging.

“The stuff we’re doing is not easy,” he said. “It’s going to be fun. It’s a chance for the students to really showcase what their brass instruments can do.”