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Wind Ensemble to perform Feb. 26; new art exhibit features works by area teachers

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (02/22/2023) —

Monmouth College Wind Ensemble to perform Bach-inspired concert on Feb. 26

German composer Johann Sebastian Bach will feature prominently in a Feb. 26 concert at Monmouth College.

Under the direction of Justin Swearinger, the College's Wind Ensemble will perform at 3 p.m. in the Kasch Performance Hall of Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

"Much of the music we are performing is directly or indirectly inspired by Bach and will feature collaboration with many Monmouth students inside and outside of the music department, as well as poetry by (English professor) David Wright," said Swearinger. "In addition to pleasant and consonant sounds, much of this music features less common tonalities and different conceptions of time and space."

In addition to an original Bach organ work for wind ensemble and a Bach-inspired Irish jig, other selections will include "Spirited Away," which Swearinger called "a beautiful arrangement of the music from the highly acclaimed Japanese animated film Spirited Away."

Also included will be a piece using "found" percussion, and "Le Voleur," which was inspired by Arsene Lupin.

"This is a consortium premiere and likely the first performance of the work," said Swearinger, who also commented on the concert's other selection, "Give Us This Day."

"The title comes from the Lord's Prayer, but the piece is much more centered around Buddhism and an appreciation of the Earth," he said.

Swearinger joined Monmouth's music faculty at the start of this academic year. He earned a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a master's degree of music in wind conducting from Florida International University, and a doctor of musical arts degree in wind conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi.

The art of teachers: New College exhibit includes works by 37 area educators

More than three dozen artists are featured in an exhibition that opened this week in Monmouth College's Len G. Everett Gallery on the upper level of Hewes Library.

Titled "Artist-Teachers/Teacher-Artists," the exhibition will be on display through March 25, when there will be a gallery reception from 2-3:30 p.m. Many of the artists will be in attendance, and several of them will speak about their work.

"The exhibition showcases work by artists in the local and regional community - artists who also teach," said Monmouth art professor Stephanie Baugh. "Included in the show are PK-12 art teachers, museum educators, retired art teachers, and folks who teach art in higher ed."

The exhibit includes 48 artworks created by 37 artists, including 11 Monmouth alumni.

"This show developed from an open call," said Baugh. "We reached out, via mailings, emails and social media, to art educators in surrounding counties, neighboring states and beyond. Every artist who responded was invited to include one or two artworks in the exhibition. The result is an exciting and eclectic display of work that you can't help but enjoy."

Media Attachments

First-year Wind Ensemble director Just Swearinger conducts the group during a concert in October.

"Pirate," by retired Galesburg art teacher Christine Dokolasa, is one of the works in the new exhibition at Monmouth College.

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