Noches Calientes – Courtesy of Berkeley Dreyer. Used with permission.
Given my Mexican heritage, I was immediately drawn to attend the Indiana Wind Symphony, led by Jay Gephart, in its presentation of Noches Calientes on Sunday at The Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Any concern over cultural appropriation was immediately dispelled once the sixty-nine musicians began performing the program of music representing the Latin diaspora. The IWS consists of professional and semi-professional musicians from various backgrounds. They performed with respect for the genre and accurately interpreted the music. And they did so with exceptional musical aplomb.
Noches Calientes – Courtesy of Berkeley Dreyer. Used with permission.
Tapping my toes and moving my shoulders throughout, I was captivated by the selections, which included many recognizable classics and others that were less so but fit the concert theme. Also impressive was Maestro Gephart’s affable, educational, and informative commentary delivery, which was not surprising considering that he is the Director of University Bands at Purdue.
Concert highlights included Danzas Cubanos, a Cuban-Afro composition by Robert Sheldon during Act 1. William B. Stutz conducted the work. A respected music educator and band director, he received the IWS’s James B. Calvert Outstanding Music Educator award following the performance of the piece.
Act 2 favorites were Mambo Greats, conducted by IWS Assistant Conductor Evan Cooper, Brazilian Zequina Abrue’s composition of Tico-Taco, a staple in circus acts, and Un Cafecita by Cuban Colombian composer Dennis Llnas. The splendid IWS percussion section, critical to Latin Music, stood out during the concert.
Playing to a medium-sized audience, the IWS not only performed with artistry but also with exceptional showmanship. It was such an entertaining, uplifting experience that I could not help but observe that the orchestra is a quintessential best-kept secret and deserves a broader audience and community support.
For tickets and information about the IWS 2024-2025 season, visit Indiana Wind Symphony.
