120 musicians team up to tell the story of building the Transcontinental Railroad
Utah State University was host to the world premier of a wind orchestra performance Friday night.
The premier of the piece “Transcontinental Union” was the focus of the Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band’s annual winter concert.
The event, held in the Kent Concert Hall, featured a performance by 120 student musicians conducted by Nicholas Morrison and Thomas P. Rohrer.
Rohrer has been with USU for seven years. He is currently the director of the band and music education and recently composed “Transcontinental Union.”
Rohrer said the composition was meant to tribute the workers who built the Transcontinental Railroad.
The railroad was the first to connection between the eastern and western United States. It turned a four-month trek into a six-day journey. Two companies worked six years in its construction.
Irish, Chinese and many other nationalities were involved.
The cultural cooperation that helped build the railroad was evident in the music. A typical western European theme was throughout. “Mowli Wha,” a Chinese folk song, represented the Chinese effort in construction. Clopping of hooves, train whistles and hammering added other cultural pictures.
The piece was originally written for the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development’s International Business Development Office. The version performed last night was written this January specifically for the Utah State University Wind Orchestra.
“This is the best wind orchestra that I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Rohrer.
Samantha Johnson, a freshman majoring in exercise science, said the performance was upbeat and painted good imagery.
Seven other songs were in the program. The symphonic band performed the first two numbers followed by the wind orchestra performing three. Both the band and the orchestra played the last two selections together.
The symphonic band played a piece called “Old Churches” by Michael Colgrass, a work based on a Gregorian chant.
One of the wind orchestra’s performances featured a flute solo with guest artist Nancy Andrew. Andrew, currently on staff at University of Oregon, traveled to USU to perform “Concertino” by Chaminade and Wilson.
Also performed was “Procession of the Knights of the Holy Grail” from “Parsifal” by Richard Wagner.
“Not to be confused with Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” said Rohrer introducing the piece.
The final number was “Cartoon” by Paul Hart. As its name indicates, it was modeled after the 1950’s Looney Tunes.
For more information on USU’s music department, go to http://www.usu.edu /music.
-jminer@cc.usu.edu