By Crystal Hayduk
The Chelsea High School (CHS) band program is adding a rousing new composition to their repertoire.
The song, “A Chelsea Fanfare,” was written by Dr. Scott Boerma, the Director of Bands at Western Michigan University and an internationally renowned composer of contemporary classical music. Boerma incorporated familiar musical phrasing from the CHS fight song and alma mater to compose a new piece that employs all of the instruments of the wind ensemble.
Boerma visited CHS on April 17 to provide additional instruction and encouragement to the Wind Symphony. He told the students, “I’m really excited that you’re working hard on this. It’s sounding great.”
The Wind Symphony will premiere the new composition during the spring concert on May 22 at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium, 740 North Freer Road. The concert is open to the public and free of charge.
CHS Band Director Rick Catherman said, “My goal will be for all Chelsea band members to have the opportunity to study and perform the work at least once during their high school careers.”
“A Chelsea Fanfare” was funded by two Chelsea families, the Wolters and the Marks, who together commissioned Boerma to write the song for the CHS bands in commemoration of the benefits of music programs for students, schools, and communities.
From the music’s cover sheet: “Successful music programs transform students’ school experiences socially and academically while improving schools’ abilities to meet students’ emotional and social needs. As adults, the Wolter and Mark children look back gratefully at the Chelsea School District music programs as fundamental building blocks of who they have become.”
Students benefit on many levels when they can work with a composer on a music commission.
“Our band members learn about his creative process, as well as getting direct performance instruction regarding the interpretation of his music,” said Catherman.
“The Chelsea Bands, with the assistance of the Mark and Wolter families, are contributing to the world of band literature with the creation of a new piece of band music.”
