Incantation & Dance - John Barnes Chance, Eltham High School Symphonic Band, Conductor Rick Keenan

Eltham High School Symphonic Band, Conductor Rick Keenan. Recorded at Mid Year Concert on June 21 2018. John Barnes Chance was born on Nov. 20, 1932, in Beaumont, Texas. He began composing during high school, while playing percussion in the school band and orchestra. From 1960 through 1962, he was composer in residence at the Greensboro, N.C., public schools. It was there that he composed seven pieces for school ensembles, including Incantation and Dance, which was his first work for wind band. It consists of two sections, highly contrasted in both length and nature. Incantation is a short, mournful legato melody that is full of mystery and expectation. The Dance also begins quietly, with percussion instruments building a complex and driving rhythmic pattern. The entrance of the brass and winds creates an increase in the rhythmic tension as the dance grows wilder and more frenzied. The piece gathers force as the entire ensemble draws together for a dramatic and exciting conclusion. Eltham High School Symphonic Band: The Music Program at Eltham High School is internationally renowned for its excellence and is recognised as one of the finest school instrumental programs in Australia. The Symphonic Band is the most senior of four wind ensembles at the School. Over many years the band has built a prestigious reputation both locally and internationally. Highlights include performing at the Midwest Clinic in 1997 and 2014. The Symphonic Band have been awarded first place in the Premier Wind Ensemble section at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod 4 out of the past 6 years. The Symphonic Band have been fortunate to work with many great Conductors and Composers over the years, including Frank Ticheli, Prof. Mark Camphouse, Dr. John Lynch, Dr. Steven Davis and Dr. Stephen Peterson, just to name a few. Through their repertoire, the Symphonic Band reflects on life and sources of inspiration. For many their inspiration is family, friends, life experiences and each other. Each year Eltham High School commissions various composers to write for the ensemble, to add to the depth of Australian repertoire available. The thought provoking themes of the repertoire that these gifted composers have provided the ensemble ensure that the journey is rich and connected to the young musician’s lives. In 2014 they toured the USA. As part of this tour they had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s greatest composers and educators, as well as performing in concerts with the United States Air Force Band and the Brooklyn Wind Symphony. The Band also presented at the Midwest Clinic assisting Dr. Ingrid Martin & Jodie Blackshaw with their repertoire and education clinics. In December 2017 they toured Japan. As part of this tour they had the opportunity to work with some great ensembles, composers and educators; including members of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Osaka University of Music, Shinonoi High School, Hirokazu Fukushima and Mr Manabu Inoue.