Music can take listeners to many places, and performers at a Palos Height event look to embrace that notion.
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra Journeys Southwest! on April 7 at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium features the world premiere of Tinley Park resident Gordon R. Wallin’s “Desert Moods” and three traditional square dance tunes accompanied by Glenview Squares.
“It’s going to be real interesting visually to see dancing and hearing the music instead of just hearing the music and nothing else. It really enhances, it makes it exciting and it’s entertaining,” said Wallin about Glenview Squares dancers and caller Candice Hansen performing with the orchestra.
“Desert Moods” will be accompanied by a video presentation by Des Plaines resident Todd Gustafson of Gustafson Photo Safari.
“He’s been very prolific in nature photography and video and all around the world – Africa, South America, etc. I happen to know him as a friend. He came in and put my video series together,” said Wallin, a band leader and professional pianist since 1969.
“Desert Moods” is the eighth piece in Wallin’s “Celebrate America!” series, which included help from Michael “Mike” Davis, a retired music conductor for The Walt Disney Co.
“I’ve built this project for over 25 years. I still am maintaining it. We’re putting together parts of it and honing it as we go along,” said Wallin, whose development of “Celebrate America!” included performing some music in the late 1990s at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights.
“It celebrates the beautiful scenery in (different) places of the country.”
Wallin, who has had works played on NBC Sports Chicago, cited Orland Park resident Tom Hallett, treasurer and principal clarinet for Southwest Symphony Orchestra, as the one who connected the composer with the nonprofit group for the debut of “Desert Moods.”
“It’s a celebration of the Southwest part of our country,” said Wallin, who received his Master of Arts from Governors State University in University Park and was band director for Worth School District 127 from 1973 to 1996.
“It’s such a gorgeous area. There’s so much soul and inspiration that one gets by just being there. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity with this orchestra.”
Conducted by David L. Crane, the concert also includes Ferde Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite,” which Wallin said inspired him to compose “Celebrate America!” to convey an artistic impression of America including New England, New Orleans, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest desert and the West Coast.
“The ‘Grand Canyon Suite’ emulates a wonderful area of our country,” said Wallin, who added that the composition evokes five scenes including sunrise, a thunderstorm and sunset during a day in the canyon.
The concert also features Aaron Copland’s “Billy the Kid” suite; the “Go West!” medley featuring “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “Hang ’Em High;” and William Grant Still’s “The Southwest” from “The American Scene.”
Wallin, who is also a Metro Star Orchestra member, will have four works premiered by Florida’s Bonita Springs Concert Band directed by Gary E. Smith in the next year.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
The Southwest Symphony Orchestra Journeys Southwest!
When: 4 p.m. April 7
Where: Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights
Tickets: $25-$30 adults; $20-$25 ages 65 and older; $7 students; free ages 10 and younger
Information: 708-802-0686; southwestsymphony.com
