District 129 to host premiere of two musical works
On Thursday, Dec. 12, West Aurora Unit District 129 will host the premiere of two pieces of music.
The world premiere of Jonathan Newman's "Tender Hearts," a work for wind band and silent film, will be performed by West Aurora High School's Wind Symphony.
The work is dedicated to Lila Fagan, the middle school band director of 33 years in West Aurora School District 129. The piece opens with a prelude reminiscent of live music one may have heard from a pianist, organist, or a small orchestra at a silent film screening.
The film, "Tender Hearts," begins approximately three minutes, 15 seconds into the piece and is largely based on an original ragtime melody, with occasional appearances of prelude motives.
"I am honored to celebrate music educator Lila Fagan's career with this work, and am especially thankful to Dr. Rod Schueller (director of bands, West Aurora High School) for making it possible," Newman said.
The Symphonic Winds will premiere "Cities of Light" by Mark Nowakowski, a piece honoring the centennial of bands at West Aurora High School.
Nowakowski was approached by West Aurora High School's associate band director, John Sierakowski, to compose a work for the celebration. Applying his ideas of music education, experiences in band programs, and the meaning of the word "Aurora," Nowakowski was inspired to complete the work.
"It is a great accomplishment and credit to the community which supports West Aurora High School that, through thick and thin, they've managed to keep a vibrant band program going for 100 years," Nowakowski said.
"Both in Aurora and around the country, such programs and their long list of nostalgic alumni are in and of themselves 'Cities of Light,' shining on for years after a student leaves their particular program. It is, therefore, a joy to celebrate their importance and vitality with this work."
The concert is free. Kicking off the event at 7 p.m. is the Red Freshman Band, which will be followed by the Symphonic Winds and, finally, the Wind Symphony. The concert will be held in the West Aurora High School auditorium, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.