Band excels in first, last show

By Tom McHenry
Summer Editor

Tuesday night a group of music lovers brought their passion out of their practices and onto the Slayter hill stage.

The Purdue Summer band played its one and only concert of the summer Tuesday night to a crowd of just over 200.

Where most of the day had been humid and muggy, a slight breeze began with the sundown. In the audience, some toddlers played a chase game of their own devising while adults sat clumped together in a sense of community. On stage, tension was low as band members chatted and joked with each other. In their few short weeks together a bond had definitely been forged.

This was their last night together as a band and a culmination of a month's work. And though their performance may have been rough at times, its high points were on the level with bands that have been together for years.

The Summer Band, directed by William Kisinger, is open to any members of the Lafayette and West Lafayette communities who can play an instrument and are willing to commit to practices. Members range from Purdue students all the way to area residents.

"I love it. It's a really neat, healthy mix," Kisinger, said.

Kisinger has worked in Purdue University Band programs for 30 years and directs the American Music Review, Collegiate Band and Boiler Brass when not directing the Summer Band. Kisinger is also the assistant director for the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band.

His experience and leadership showed through the skill and unity of the band's performance.

Beginning in the middle of June, the Summer Band practiced twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Where this much practice should be insufficient for a truly professional sound, the love of its members and their prior music experiences gave their performance its strength and style.

The Summer Band played a variety of songs, ranging from tangos to slow, melodic ballads. Kisinger said their music would encompass more than three centuries

Perhaps the best measure of the Summer Band's skill was in the more upbeat marches like "Where Never Lark nor Eagle Flew" by Jim Cornell. Their rendition made several toddlers who had been playing nearby march and sway in beat with the music.

The most complex song attempted by the band was entitled "Second Suite in F for Military Band" by Gustav Holst. The suite is comprised of four movements- a march, a ballad, a stylistic march and a folk song. Each section showed another aspect of the band's playing, and despite a few hiccups, proved that they could handle a range of songs with the same level of skill.

"It's always interesting, making the music challenging for the good players and not overwhelming for the lesser experienced players," Kisinger said.

The pieces were elaborate and challenging but even the least experienced players rose to a level of successful play.

After all, there can be few better successes in life than filling a warm summer night with music good enough to get up and dance to.