The District 153 bands spring concert, “Celebrating the Diversity of Music,” will be given at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. The program includes new music written by composers from underrepresented groups.
The James Hart Band prepares to perform during the 2018 Veterans Day event. (Chronicle file photo)
The District 153 bands spring concert, “Celebrating the Diversity of Music,” will be given at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 9. The program includes new music written by composers from underrepresented groups.
For those unable to make the program at James Hart School, 18220 Morgan Ave. in Homewood, the sounds of the Churchill Cadet Band and James Hart Varsity Band can be enjoyed via Facebook that night and will later be posted to www.hsd153.org.
Matthew Johnson, James Hart director of bands, said the concert will include pieces by American composers Katheryn Fenske, Darryl Johnson II and William Owens, and Japanese composer Naoya Wada.
In addition, Heather Hoefle, band director in Flossmoor District 161, will conduct the James Hart Symphonic Band playing her newest song, “Ascent for Concert Band.” In March, The James Hart Symphonic Band gave the world premiere of the piece.
With this concert, District 153 is kicking off a long-term commitment by the band program to seek out and perform the music of historically underrepresented groups, Johnson said.
The program’s three main goals are to educate students on these composers through hands-on experience; to show them that with hard work and discipline anyone can grow up to be a composer; and to send a message to the music publishing industry through the program’s purchasing power the music of these composers and many others should be encouraged, Johnson explained.
Teachers working with District 153 bands are Johnson, Kim Tallungan, Churchill School band director, and Hart music teacher Julie Holly, who assists Johnson with the James Hart School program.
