MASON BANDS: "Motus in celebratione"

The Mason Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony proudly open the 55th Anniversary year of the Mason Bands with Celebrations in Motion—a vibrant program of historical and contemporary works that explore the idea of celebration through energy, reflection, and musical movement.

The Symphonic Band program includes Adrian B. Sims’s Centennial Celebrations, a thrilling work filled with brilliant fanfares that herald the beginning of a yearlong tribute to the Mason Bands’ rich history. Bursting with celebratory flourishes and rhythmic drive, the piece builds toward an emotionally descriptive and heartfelt conclusion—characterizing the end of an incredibly powerful experience.

The Mason Wind Symphony portion of the concert features a compelling array of works that explore modern voices, historical depth, and cultural expression.

The evening includes Roshanne Etezady’s Shoutout, a high-octane work bursting with syncopation, color, and urban groove. Etezady’s music infuses the concert with modern momentum and celebrates contemporary voices in wind band literature.

Lili Boulanger’s D’un Matin de Printemps offers a brief but radiant glimpse of spring. With a whimsical, almost waltz-like character, this impressionistic miniature dances with lightness and charm, evoking the freshness of a morning in bloom. Written by one of the most gifted composers of the early 20th century, the piece shimmers with grace and playfulness, highlighting Boulanger’s trailblazing legacy as a woman who helped shape the sound of her time.

At the heart of the program is Gustav Holst’s Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo, a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire that captures both the quiet dignity and bustling chaos of London’s Hammersmith district. With its brooding prelude and biting scherzo, Holst’s piece anchors the concert with depth, history, and architectural brilliance.

To conclude the program, the ensemble invites the audience to move with Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, a beloved tribute to Latin American dance rhythms and orchestral flair. Brimming with passion and vitality, Danzón pulses with irresistible energy—bringing the concert to a joyful and exhilarating close.

As part of this special anniversary event, the Mason Bands are excited to welcome the Centreville High School Wind Ensemble, conducted by Melissa Hall (Mason BM ’02, MM ’05), as a featured guest. A proud alumna of George Mason University, Hall brings her award-winning ensemble to share the stage in a celebration of musical excellence and Mason's lasting impact on music education in the region.

From urban rhythm to pastoral charm, and from symphonic grandeur to dance-floor exhilaration, Celebrations in Motion sets the stage for a landmark season of the Mason Bands.

Tickets: $19 General Public, $14 Seniors, $9 Students

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