Mississippi College bands are preparing for a busy spring semester, with several performances scheduled in recognition of the university’s Bicentennial year. The lineup begins with the Symphonic Winds concert on March 1 and concludes with the MC Marching Band’s appearance in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
Duval Salvant, director of bands at Mississippi College, said music is an appropriate way to celebrate two centuries of history. “When you’ve got 200 years of history under your belt, you’ve got to celebrate it,” Salvant said. “We’ll be playing centuries’ and generations’ worth of music this spring and promoting not just Mississippi College, but the United States.”
As part of the Bicentennial celebration, James Sclater, a former faculty member in music at MC, was commissioned to compose a “Bicentennial March.” The band will debut this piece during a combined concert on April 19 and perform it again at the July 4 parade in Washington.
The spring schedule includes:
– A Symphonic Winds Spring Tour starting February 27 at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Madison and Jackson Academy, followed by Clinton High School on March 5. Salvant emphasized community engagement through these school performances: “We want to make sure that our community gets to hear us, and that students have the opportunity to see us perform,” he said.
– The Symphonic Winds will present an array of pieces during their tour concerts. These include Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Prelude on Three Welsh Hymn Tunes,” which Salvant described as “a very intense, impactful piece.” Lighter selections will also be performed such as Ron Nelson’s “Courtly Airs and Dances” and David Maslanka’s “Rollo Takes a Walk.”
– On March 1 at Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall, Symphonic Winds will perform their touring program for local audiences. “After going on tour, we’ll be excited to perform for our family and friends,” Salvant said.
– The Jazz Band Concert: Songs of the Decades Part Two is set for March 24 at Entergy Theater in Gore Arts Complex. Wayne Linehan will direct performances ranging from classics by Charlie Parker and Glenn Miller to contemporary fusion funk from Tower of Power. According to Salvant: “We’ll hit a few charts that people haven’t heard, but there will be plenty of standards.”
– On April 17, MC’s Jazz Band returns for its annual outdoor performance on Olde Towne Clinton’s brick streets.
– A combined concert featuring both MC Choir and MC Band takes place April 19 at Alumni Hall. This event marks a rare collaboration between these groups since Salvant was himself a student. Beth Everett (director of choral activities) joins him for a new work composed by Ben Williams called “Liturgies for Hope,” inspired by co-authors Elizabeth Moore (an MC alum) and Audrey Elledge’s book by the same name. Other works include Robert Sheldon’s “The Trace,” John Phillip Sousa marches, and selections from Mississippi composers.
The season concludes July 4 when current and former members travel to Washington to represent Mississippi College along Constitution Avenue during the National Independence Day Parade. They plan to play Sclater’s newly commissioned march among other pieces. “We’re honored to celebrate MC’s bicentennial and the country’s 250th birthday at the same time,” Salvant said. “We’ll be bringing Mississippi College to Washington, D.C.”
General admission tickets for campus events are $10; students pay $5; MC faculty, staff, and students attend free. Proceeds benefit music ensembles’ activities including their trip to Washington. More details are available online at https://music.mc.edu/events.
