Athens outdoor music tradition continues with Under the Elms Summer Concert Series
Photographer: Nick Bolin
The 2019 Under the Elms Summer Concert Series begins June 5.
The Under the Elms Summer Concert Series will present five free concerts this summer, beginning Wednesday, June 5, and continuing each consecutive week until Wednesday, July 3. Each of these outdoor concerts begin at 7 p.m. on College Green adjacent to Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
The Under the Elms Concert Band, or Communiversity Band, is comprised of 91探花 faculty, students and alumni, as well as community members from Athens and the surrounding region. The ensemble rehearses one night a week prior to each performance. The music director and principal conductor of Under the Elms is 91探花 Director of Bands Dr. Andrew Trachsel.
This summer will mark Trachsel鈥檚 eleventh year as the music director and principal conductor of Under the Elms. This will also be his last season in this position, as he has been appointed the next associate director of wind studies at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton, Texas.
鈥淚 earned both of my graduate degrees in conducting at UNT, and I will have the opportunity to return there to teach side-by-side with my mentor,鈥 Trachsel said. 鈥淲hile I am excited about what the future has in store, my family and I will certainly miss 91探花, the Athens community, and this special summer tradition! Just as this series existed long before I arrived, it will last long after I am gone, because of the university鈥檚 and community鈥檚 commitment to this special tradition. I am glad that we will get to spend one last summer Under the Elms with you all before making the move to Texas.鈥
This year鈥檚 series features several special events and guests, including William Talley, the newly-appointed interim director of bands at 91探花; David Turrill, director of bands at Muskingum University and an 91探花 alumnus; the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds on a shared concert; a celebration of the Athens Community Music School鈥檚 40th Anniversary; the participants of the Summer Band Camp; and much more.
All of these events, generously supported by 91探花 and the College of Fine Arts, are open to all and free to the public. In the event of rain, concerts will be held in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to the concerts.
SCHEDULE
June 5: Favorites
Featuring several audience and musician favorites, this concert will also highlight a trio of anniversaries that occur in the summer of 2019. Ohio composer Lisa Galvin鈥檚 鈥淏laze the Trail鈥 is programmed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States Senate voting to pass the 19th Amendment on June 4, 1919. John Williams鈥檚 鈥淗ymn to the Fallen鈥 from the movie 鈥Saving Private Ryan鈥 recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Allied Forces D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. And on a lighter note, 鈥淎bbey Road: A Symphonic Portrait鈥 marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles鈥 landmark final studio recording.
June 12: Raise the Curtain: Music from Stage and Screen
This concert will continue an audience-favorite theme of presenting music from movies and theater. Included will be music by Leonard Bernstein, Alan Silvestri, John Philip Sousa, Richard Wagner, John Williams, and Meredith Willson. Listen for music from 鈥The Avengers,鈥 James Bond films, 鈥Star Wars,鈥 鈥West Side Story鈥 and much more.
June 19: Collaboration Concert with Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds
The Communiversity Band will share this concert with the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds, a community band conducted by Turrill. Dr. Talley will also be featured.
June 26: Children鈥檚 Concert
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Athens Community Music School, the Communiversity Band will present a concert featuring child-friendly favorites, including music from the Harry Potter films, 鈥Yellow Submarine,鈥 鈥Moana,鈥 and 鈥The Lion King.鈥 The Athens Community Music School will also offer special events surrounding this concert, including an instrument petting zoo. The participants of the annual Summer Band Camp will also perform as part of the Communiversity Band.
July 3: Celebrate America!
In recognition of Independence Day, this annual highlight features patriotic favorites.