The concert featured several solos by senior clarinetist Meredith Sundberg.
The NW Symphonic Band concert on Saturday, Feb. 14 was brilliant. Each song was deliberately chosen to reflect the concert’s theme: “Eat Your Heart Out, Godzilla”. Dr. Angela Carlson, the band director, chose this theme as an encouragement to the audience. In one of her speeches last Saturday, she said, “For all the ‘Godzillas’ in your life, you can tell them to eat their heart out because of the promises we have in Jesus.” The performance proclaimed the hope we have in Christ, giving us reason to lay down our burdens and receive God’s joy.
It was not only spiritual nourishment, but also an excellent musical performance to just enjoy. NW senior, Ashlyn Jensen, said at the end of the concert, “It just seems that each concert keeps getting better and better. This is probably the best performance I have seen from the band.” Hard work, dedication, preparation, and prayers went into this concert from everyone participating, hoping to bless theis community.
The first song “Song of Solace”, by Ryan Nowlin, was commissioned by Jeff and Linda Andrews in loving memory of their son, Jordin. Jordin was a devoted Christian and musician, seeking to glorify God through his talents. He received a diagnosis for a vicious cancer, yet pursued a music degree in 2021. After graduating, he tragically passed away. This song represents the life of Jordin. It opened with haunting percussion, introducing a simple flute solo. Suspenseful brass built in the song until the soaring, triumphant theme played by the euphonium emerged. At the peak of the piece, the entire ensemble was at full volume, displaying the emotion and depth behind the meaning of this song, until it finally closed with the same flute solo and soft percussion.
The second song was called, “Concertino for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble,” featuring solo clarinetist Meredith Sundberg. This song was commissioned by a band director as a tribute to his loving (also band director) wife. The song is split into two parts entitled “Ballad” and “FUNk.”. The first part represents the wife’s loving and calm nature, denoted by a serene clarinet and occasional brass butting in. The second half represents the part of her that’s fun and spunky. It featured a drum set and a groovy brass baseline behind a wild and virtuosic clarinet melody. The commissioners of this song emailed Dr. Carlson, saying that they watched the livestream of NW’s concert and were thrilled to see our performance of this song.
The third song was called “Love and Light”. Elizabeth Elliot, after losing her child during birth, began the grieving process by turning to music. The first part of this song is light and sunny, featuring chimes and glockenspiel – meant to ask the question: “What does unconditional love sound like?” It quickly transitions into a dark, stormy melody, asking the question: “What does it sound like when that unconditional love is shattered?” Trombones and horns expressed the anguish and confusion of losing a child. Light returned, however, in the third part of the song, where resounding bells and brass played themes from the worship hymns “Salvation is Created” and “All Creatures of our God and King.” This part asked: “What does it sound like when a child first sees the face of God?” This piece was heartwrenching and beautiful, a powerful composition of experienced loss.
Finally, the fourth song turns things lighthearted with, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!” This piece was so fun. Band members screamed in terror, there. There were bongos and colorful lights. Josiah Sandstrom was dressed as Elvis, and there was even a Liberace appearance! Godzilla had a motif of loud timpani drums and ominous trombones as his steps shook the city’s foundations. We could visualize Vegas’ entertainment events, like tangoes, blues clubs, swing dances and famous musical performances, all being terribly interrupted by the monstrous entity. In the middle of the song, the army arrives on the scene, armed with weapons to take down the beast. It seemed as if the army had won as the ensemble laughed and sighed with relief, until the ominous motif suddenly reentered one final, threatening time. By the end of the song, it’s unclear who won the battle.
Don’t be fooled by the goofy and entertaining aura of the last song – Godzilla has a deep backstory. At the end of WW2, America unleashed an atomic bomb on Japan, leaving behind utter chaos, tragedy, and destruction. The people of Japan were crushed after this attack and used movies like Godzilla to cope with the horrific loss.
As you can see, the NW symphonic band’s concert on Valentine’s Day was a heavy and emotional one. Even the silliest, most flamboyant song of the concert had dark lore. This concert, however, reminds us that despite the evil and suffering of the world, Jesus is King and will reign forever with truth and justice. God’s love endures forever – it will never cease. The NW symphonic band hopes that along with an enjoyable experience, this concert was an encouragement to all who attended.
