Northshore Concert Band: Spirited Away

Embark on a revitalizing spiritual journey in April with Spirited Away. It begins with Claude T. Smith’s Eternal Father, Strong to Save, the official hymn of the United States Navy, featuring colorful interplay and variations on the well-known tune. A musical hosanna to Dr. Eric Wilson, Director of Bands at Baylor University, Paul Dooley’s triptych Canticles showcases the composer’s rhythmic vitality, lyrical melodies, and harmonic colors in a series of playful dances and a rejuvenating prayer for winds. Joe Hisaishi’s vibrant score to Spirited Away, the tale of a girl trapped in the spirit world, is transformed into a dazzling suite for winds. Chamak, a new work by Indian American composer Reena Esmail, finds inspiration in the writing of Kabir and presents three movements based on traditional Hindustani ragas — a framework for improvisation and composition in Indian classical music. Yasuhide Ito’s stirring symphonic poem Gloriosa concludes the program, evoking the fervent prayers and suffering of early Christians in Japan with a fusion of Gregorian chant and Japanese folk music.

Claude T. Smith Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Paul Dooley Canticles

Joe Hisaishi Spirited Away

Reena Esmail Chamak

Yasuhide Ito Gloriosa

Northshore Concert Band (NCB) is a 100-member symphonic band active in the Chicago metropolitan area. Founded in 1956, the Band is internationally known and respected for its musical excellence, leadership in community music, and commitment to music education. NCB presents 10-12 concerts per season, including a four-concert subscription series housed a Northwestern University's Pick Staiger Concert Hall and Loyola Academy's McGrath Family Performing Arts Center. The Band's musical leadership is provided by Dr. Mallory Thompson, Artistic Director, and Daniel J. Farris, Assistant Conductor. Learn more at northshoreband.org.

Northshore Concert Band’s ticketing and attendance policies comply with city and state public health guidelines and procedures established by our venue partners. Programs and artists are subject to change. We will promptly notify ticket holders of any protocol and programming updates via email. For the latest information, visit northshoreband.org.

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