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The world premiere of a commissioned work by Justin Swellinger, Professor of Music at Monmouth College, will be featured in the Monmouth Wind Ensemble’s final concert of the school year.
Maxwell Lafontan’s ‘Paideia Fanfare’ will have a ‘soft premiere’ of the six-minute piece three days before the Wind Ensemble’s concert as part of the College’s Scholarship Day on April 25th. . 3 p.m., just inside the south entrance to the Huff Athletic Center.
Swearinger will then conduct the song again at the Wind Ensemble concert on April 28th at 7:30pm at Dahl Chapel and Auditorium’s Kasch Performance Hall (700 E. Broadway, Monmouth). It is open to the public for free.
celebrate the liberal arts
Graduated from three different colleges, Swearinger is best friends with Lafontant, who graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Like Monmouth, Luther is a member of the Midwestern Allied Colleges (ACM).
“Max and I have been discussing the importance of a liberal arts education, especially now more than ever,” Swearinger said in a Monmouth release about the idea behind the commissioned work. “From that conversation came the idea of ’Paideia Fanfare’.”
It is a single movement for brass band that honors the experience of a Midwestern liberal arts college in the vein of Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. The release said it explores traditional academic forms through a contemporary lens, giving audiences a fresh perspective on classical forms.
The ancient Greek concept of “paideia” is the training of physical and mental abilities in such a way as to produce a broad, enlightened and mature outlook harmoniously combined with maximum cultural development.
After 20 years of working together, Lafontan and Swellinger, who met during their senior year in Marion, Iowa, developed a creative understanding and working relationship with a proven track record of success, said Monmouth. said.
music played around the world
Based in Minneapolis, Lafontan has performed his music nationally and internationally, including premieres by the Nevada Chamber Orchestra, the Mivos Quartet, the Arillo Voice, and the New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble. According to his website, he has also played in several rock bands, including Ferrofluid, Psuedosynesthesia, and This Robot, which disbanded after giving one performance.
Lafontan received a master’s degree in music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Swearinger is Monmouth’s Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities. He holds a BA in Percussion Performance from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and a Master’s in Wind Orchestra Conducting from Florida International University. He holds a PhD in Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“My mom came to visit me and we talked about how cool and meaningful it was to her that Max and I were doing this,” Swearinger said in a Monmouth release. , has seen our entire journey from 4th grade to assembling this stuff.”
Other highlights of the Wind Ensemble concert on April 28 include “honoring and remembering the graduating musicians,” Swellinger said. This includes a performance of a piece titled “Reminiscence”.
Senior Caitlin McCullough of Springfield, Illinois performed “Amplified Soprano” in a work based on poetry by Lee Cummings, and the ensemble performed both movements of composer David Maslanka’s short symphony “Give Us This Day” will play
LaFontain stays on campus throughout the week of the premiere, interacting several times with Monmouth music students. His work will be performed at Luther’s homecoming celebrations this fall, and at least two other members of the ACM — St. He Olaf and Ripon — will stage performances of the work during the next school year. It’s a schedule.
For more information on Monmouth’s music department, please visit their website here.
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