Pacific Index

The Pacific symphonic band gears up for their spring concert 

   Once a year Pacific University’s symphonic band puts on the Spring concert, a performance that allows for the hard work of the ensemble members to be showcased. This year’s theme is “The Suite Life,” which is a playful nod at this concert being a suite of songs. In total, the symphonic band will be performing two suites.

   “The big suite that we’re playing in at this concert is called the Second Suite for Band in F by Gustav Holst. It is a masterwork for the wind band and a huge deal that we’re playing this piece for many of the ensemble members,” says Dr. Abbie Brown, the newly appointed director of bands. Brown notes that these are songs which band members often end up interacting with many times throughout their careers. “It’s just one of those pieces that people who play in a band continue to interact with over and over again throughout their career because it’s just one of those big pieces that’s so well written and so perfect,” Brown reinforces.

   “When I was coming up with the theme for this concert, I wanted it to center around that major piece, the whole second suite for band and F,” Brown discusses, specifically regarding that the entirety of the other pieces were arranged to interact in harmony with the main composition. “All center around what makes a sweet life or a good life. Hence the name of the program,” she explains. The program opens with the piece Mother Earth composed by David Maslanka, a song which begs the listener to treat the planet with greater kindness and awareness. 

   “We play a piece called Adoration, which is by the composer Florence Price and arranged by Sheldon Williams for band… It’s a huge deal that we get to play music by her in the band world. That’s why this transcription is so beautiful of Adoration,” expresses Brown. The importance of the song being a part of the spring concert, is not just tied to the brilliance of its composition but also that, “Florence Price was a black female composer whose heyday was closer to the beginning of the 20th century. A lot of her works, because of her race and her gender, were not as championed as they should have been.” 

   Overall, the Pacific symphonic band will be playing six songs, all of which connect to the theme. “[It’s all] about the sweet life, we all want simple gifts in our life,” says Brown. This idea was the main driving factor for which songs were selected.. “I would say that it’s really hard to pick because I love all of the music. This is my favorite concert program that I’ve ever created,” remarks Brown, detailing that, “I think it just flows really well. There’s such a story that it’s telling and all the music is just phenomenal.” 

   “The band is growing and I know it’s going to continue to grow next year as we have new students coming in and folks who are slowly rediscovering band in their life and want to continue to make music,” Brown adds, encouraging any students who love music to come to the concert and see what the band can do. 

   The 2026 Spring Symphonic Band Concert will take place Friday, April 3 at 7:30 pm.