Music lovers in Vancouver have a treat coming.
The Southwest Washington Wind Symphony (SWWS) will be playing soon in Camas, which shares its western border with Vancouver. The program features Matthew Nelson, a clarinet virtuoso from the University of Louisville.
Patrick Murphy will conduct the program, which includes Freddie Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Aurora Awakes” composed by John Mackey, and the soundtrack composed by Joe Hisaishi for the film “Spirited Away.”
Freddie Mercury was the legendary frontman of the rock band Queen, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of their best-known songs.
John Mackey has composed over 100 works, most of them either for wind band/concert band, or chamber ensembles. His work “Aurora Awakes” is a musical description of Aurora, the goddess of dawn, as she rises and spreads light over the world. Part of the work borrows slightly from the U2 song, “Where the Streets Have No Name.”
“Spirted Away” is a feature-length Japanese animated film written and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. The film made $395.8 million worldwide.
Nelson will perform Scott McAllister’s “Black Dog” as well as excerpts from Rossini’s “Introduction, Theme, and Variations.” Rossini is famous for his operas, but occasionally composed pieces strictly for orchestra. McAllister’s is based on “Black Dog,” a classic song from rockers Led Zeppelin.
The concert is at 3:00 pm on May 21, at the Union High School Performing Arts Center in Camas. An event like this can be publicized by organizers using poster printing to create advertising.
