Gathering of the Bands is coming up at NIC

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College is hosting two of its annual “Gathering of Bands” concerts at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus.

Each night, students from local middle schools will gather to create music under the direction of guest clinician Michael Keepe.

A resident of Coeur d’Alene, Keepe runs the North Idaho Saxophone Academy. He also teaches at Bella Noté Music Studios in Sandpoint and works at the Festival at Sandpoint Summer Youth Music Camp. He has served on faculties at the Fred Fox School of music at the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and as band director for Tucson Unified School District.

“It’s that time of the year again," said NIC band director Bryan Hannaford. "During our two-night event, we will showcase over 300 students coming from 12 different middle schools that will form the Gathering Band."

Students will perform music by Richard Saucedo, Warren Barker, Robert W. Smith, Erik Morales and local composer Tom Tucker. There will also be performances by a percussion ensemble led by Lake City High School instrumental music director Tim Sandford and a performance by the NIC Wind Symphony led by Hannaford.

The Wind Symphony will perform works by Pete Meechan, Gustav Holst, Mark Camphouse, Michael Markowski and John Philip Sousa.

“I’m excited for the Wind Symphony to perform Michael Markowski’s ‘Famishius Fantasticus,’” Hannaford said.

The music is inspired by "Looney Tunes," but without animation. Visual gags will liven up this existential cat-and-mouse or coyote-and-roadrunner chase.

“It will be an amazing musical experience for our audience of young musicians and people of all ages and musical levels,” Hannaford said. “Make sure to mark your calendar for either night.”

The NIC Wind Symphony is a community group with more than 2,000 years of playing experience. The multi-generational group blends high school students, college students and community members into one ensemble to create art.

The concerts are free and open to the public.

Information: 208-769-3258