“Cheers!,” a collection of ear-catching, Latin-influenced tunes, will feature “Lucid Dreams,” a composition by Nathan Froebe, Columbus graduate student, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Fort Hays State University’s Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
“Since I am graduating in May, I wanted to do something special for the concert band,” said Froebe. “They have allowed me to use them as guinea pigs, and this is my way of thanking them.”
“The piece is divided up in three parts,” he said. “The first has a soft, wistful tone that mimics the feeling of just falling asleep. The second is what I call the ‘nightmare’ because it illustrates the feeling of being aware that you are dreaming but you can’t escape.  The third part brings the listener back to the wistfulness of the first.”
The piece features a solo trombone played by Dr. Lane Weaver, assistant professor of music and theatre.
Weaver also will conduct the Symphonic Winds, the first half of the concert. Dr. Jeff Jordan, associate professor of music and theatre, will conduct the Wind Ensemble for the second half.
The theme of “Cheers!” is incorporated through a number of festive-sounding and lively works.
Inspired by a visit to England, “Cheers!,” by Dr. Jack Stamp, is a musical tribute to England. Stamp is the chair of the Department of Music and director of Band Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa., where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in graduate conducting.
Based on a series of Spanish folk melodies, “El Camino Real” by Alfred Reed, is underscored by chord progressions used by generations of flamenco guitarists.
Heavily influenced by the blues, “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli is a tribute to the Big Band era with a high-spirited energy and jazz feeling throughout.
“Godspeed,” by Stephen Melillo, features youthful exhilaration, the flight of an inviolable spirit, hectic confusion and innocent zeal.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and students ages 12-18. Tickets for children under 12 and FHSU students with ID are free.