Concert Band debuts sixth Kaplan Commissioning Project

Guest composer Paul Richards directed the SMU Concert Band rehearsal Wednesday evening.

Florida composer Paul Richards has been chosen for the sixth Saint Mary’s Concert Band Kaplan Commissioning Project.

The SMU Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform Richards’ world-premiere composition, “If You Could Only See the Frog” during its fall concert 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Page Theatre.

This concert marks the sixth world premiere composition made possible through the generosity of the Helen & Sam Kaplan Foundation. The Helen and Sam Kaplan Foundation supports performances and activities led by Jewish artists and scholars that are designed to increase cultural and religious understanding at Saint Mary’s.

Richards’ “If You Could Only See The Frog” is based on a Bulgarian children’s song sung by exiled Jews in the Spanish-Jewish dialect of Ladino. Its playful tune stems from a wide range of cultural influences and is a percussion driven exploration of this infectious melody.

The composer started his residency at SMU Nov. 10 and will conduct the premiere. Dr. Richards teaches at the University of Florida (Gainsville), and has received numerous commissions and awards including the ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s “Fresh Ink” prize and many others. For more information, go to www.paulrichardsmusic.com.

Under the direction of Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the SMU Concert Band will also perform works by Grainger, Arnold, Shostakovich and Grundman. The Wind Ensemble will perform two pieces, including arrangements of the familiar “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod and Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners.”

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or Ext. 1675.