Salem Concert Band Presents Songs of the American West

(SALEM) - The Historic Elsinore Theatre, the Salem Concert Band will present a musical showcase at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 7th entitled `Songs of the American West" under the direction of conductor John Skelton.

Classic `cowboy" tunes, such as Home on the Range and Turkey in the Straw, will be presented by the band, as well as Western-themed pieces written during the 1950s and 60s, such as Santa Fe Saga (1955) by Martin Gould and Laredo Paso Doble (1963) by Clifton Williams. Another special work on the program is Barn Dance and Cowboy Hymn by Philip Sparke, which transports the listener to a scene wherein a rowdy dance and a church service have been seemingly double-booked in the same barn on the same evening, and the experience is at once entertaining and lively, spiritual and serene.

The Salem Concert Band is also pleased to present Haboo, a Native American-inspired piece by Pacific Lutheran University professor and composer Gregory Youtz, which received its world premiere last year at the University of Washington. This storyboard work is comprised of five seamless movements, including `Making the World," `Awaiting the Salmon" and `Calling the Cougar." In addition to melodies produced by the band`s instruments, the piece also calls for a chorus of tapping river rocks and vocalizations of the word `Haboo," which means `Go on, we are listening."

Other selections to be shared are They Went Thataway arranged by Paul Jennings and Western Jamboree by Melvin L. Shelton, and fans of film are sure to enjoy Mark Roger`s adaptation of musical selections from Oklahoma! as well as music from The Big Country by Jerome Moross.

The Salem Concert Band has been recognized for artistic achievements by the Oregon Arts Commission, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

2005 - 2006 TICKET PRICES: General Admission $12, Students grades 1 - 12 complimentary with purchase of general admission ticket. Due to the sell-out of the mezzanine reserved seats, we have opened additional reserved seats in the Dress Circle (1st two rows of the upper balcony). Dress circle reserved seats are available through Salem Concert Band, the Historic Elsinore Theatre and all outlets of TicketsWest. Group rates also available. Tickets may be purchased at the door and through the following outlets:

For ticket information, contact the SCB at 503-769-5598, The Historic Elsinore Theatre at 503-375-3574, or TicketsWest at 1-800-992-8499.