The associate musical director of the Coquitlam-based Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble (PSWE) thought he would try something a little different for the concert band's upcoming show on Saturday.
Actually, it's a lot different.
In an effort to draw a more diverse crowd, conductor David Branter decided to highlight three pieces with pop and rock influences for the March 3 performance of Rock Me - and throw some surprises in between.
The program will feature Cruel Yet Fair, an Afro-Cuban number by Vancouver trumpet player and composer John Korsrud, the founder the Juno-nominated Hard Rubber Orchestra.
As well, PSWE will tackle Scott McAllister's Popcopy, an energetic work split into three movements that reference pop culture: More Cowbell (as in the 2000 Saturday Night Live skit featuring actors Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell); One Time At Bandcamp (American Pie); and Serenity Now (Seinfield).
Branter will conclude with the world premiere of his piece, titled Hip - his second composition written for concert band.
Branter, a saxophonist, penned the work this and last month "because it had been rolling around my head for years and I finally had to get it down," said the department head of the Vancouver Community College School of Music. "I sketched it out and made some decisions, which is the usual process when you compose as you often have more ideas than you can cram in."
As for the surprises for Rock Me, Branter hints he delivers a sermon - with band accompaniment - at the end of Hip.
"We've got lots of treats woven into the program," Branter said, divulging little other than the band will be "out of its normal costume" and multi-media images will be up during the performance. "There's some interaction between the band and me, but I don't want to reveal what's going to happen beforehand.
"Let's just say, it's something that shouldn't be missed."
Tickets for Rock Me on Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m. are available at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) by calling the box office at 604-927-6555 or visiting www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
