On Friday, October 28, at Hill Auditorium, an amazing performance made many people realize how much talent and tradition exist at the University of Michigan. If you have not yet made your way to Hill Auditorium, I would suggest doing so because it is historic, beautiful and a bit famous.
Band-O-Rama featured U of M’s Concert Band, Symphony Band, and Marching Band. The Concert Band began the concert with both fast and slow pieces that got the crowd excited and made us want to hear more. The acoustics of Hill Auditorium added to the quality of the already brilliant sound of the band. The Symphony Band played tribute to America, U of M and Russian culture by playing all different types of medleys. Carol Jantsch, a U of M alum, was featured on the tuba for a pice called “Czardas.” She was proof of the fine teaching and learning that happens at Michigan because she is the principal tubist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. After a brief intermission, the Michigan Marching Band got the crowd on their feet with tunes reflecting the spirit of U of M and also popular hits from artists like, Ah-Ha, the Beatles, Nirvana, Madonna, Daft Punk, Eminem and many more. It was interesting seeing and hearing the Marching Band in an actual auditorium rather than in the huge Big House stadium because the sound was captured much better and the movements that were planned so thoughtfully were much more visible. The drumline was featured during the show as they often are during the Michigan football games and their choreography as well as percussion technique was incredible. If you would like to see a bit of what they do you can go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eYZlDeNhto&feature=related
The Marching Band also paid tribute to the Michigan Symphony Band’s expedition to Russia in the 1960s with classic Russian pieces such as the Great Gate of Kiev by Mussorgsky and Russian Sailors’ Dance. Overall, each of the three bands brought something different to the stage and they all featured immense skill and a great presence. If you would like to see any of the Michigan Bands perform, which I highly recommend, you can go to www.music.umich.edu for a complete listing of events and performances.
