Concordia's instrumental groups will cap off Homecoming Week with concerts tonight, Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. Virtual viewing options are available for both events.
Tonight’s Pops Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Showcased groups include Concordia’s University Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Pops Concert
Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
One night only, live-streamed event
Click here to access the live stream
Click here to view Pops Concert program
The concert will only be available for virtual viewing. The groups recorded live performances on Oct. 12 and 13 in the Chapel of Christ Triumphant, and the recording will be streamed to viewers on Friday night only. Due to copyright restrictions it will not be made available for on-demand viewing at a later date.
Directors Dr. Louis Menchaca and Johanna Anderson went to great lengths to ensure the health and safety of students while recording. Precautions included slitted or traditional face masks, instrument bell covers, physical distancing of musicians, and the use of a large performance space with time allotted in between songs for proper air turnover and filtration.
“In spite of all the obstacles, we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish,” said Menchaca, who serves as chair of the department. “We’ve persevered through all of the adjustments—masks, bell covers, and socially distanced outdoor baseball stadium rehearsals. I’m incredibly proud of how the students have adapted. We’re honored to be able to keep the arts alive in the midst of these stressful times and to bring a degree of levity and enjoyment to our Concordia family and community supporters.”
The Pops Concert will feature well-known tunes such as:
- Highlights from Frozen II
- Selections from Mamma Mia! (the Broadway musical that features music by ABBA)
- The theme from the James Bond film “Skyfall”
- Several hits by the legendary rock group Led Zeppelin
- Great Coronation Hymn (an arrangement of the hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”)
On Saturday, despite the cancellation of Concordia’s Homecoming football match, the Falcon Pep Band and Drumline will take the field—or courtyard, as it were—to offer a repertoire of upbeat tunes. Selections will include some old favorites (“December,” “Hey Baby,” and “24 or 6-4”) as well as some premiers. The concert will be performed outdoors, but supporters are encouraged to tune in via Facebook live.
Pep Band Concert
Saturday, Oct. 24 at 12 p.m.
In person: Regents Courtyard (Rain location Lot L Tent)
Virtual: Live or on demand on CUW Music Department Facebook
Saturday’s concert is one of multiple outdoor “pop-up” Pep Band performances that has been arranged this semester by the group’s director, Johanna Anderson, associate director of instrumental music at CUW. In lieu of fall athletic competitions, Pep Band hosted two concerts in September for CUW students to enjoy, as well as a live-streamed performance for Family Weekend. Catch moments from some of the previous concerts on CUW Music Department’s Facebook page or the music department’s YouTube channel.
“Since we have not been able to perform for athletic events this semester, I wanted to find other ways for us to keep playing,” Anderson said. “Homecoming is usually an important and busy weekend for us, and I wanted to preserve some of that tradition and excitement. I am very proud of Pep Band and Drumline, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue making music with them.”
Pops preview
For the first time in university history, Concordia’s instrumental groups pre-recorded their Pops Concert. Check out scenes from the Oct. 12 and 13 effort.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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