Christopher Morehouse, professor of conducting and director of bands in the SIU School of Music, leads members of the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble in a recent rehearsal before the Thursday, Feb. 27, performance of “AMEN!” at Shryock Auditorium. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
February 24, 2025
SIU Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble to present ‘AMEN!’ Feb. 27
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Almost 80 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will perform a series of spiritual songs when they present “AMEN!” at Shryock Auditorium in a free performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.
In addition to the talents of SIU students, more than 60 band students in fifth through eighth grade from Unity Point Community Consolidated School District will kick off the evening’s performance.
The concert title is from a 2017 commissioned piece by Atlanta native and Grammy-nominated composer Carlos Simon, who said “AMEN!” is intended to “recreate the musical experience of an African American Pentecostal church service” such as he enjoyed being part of while growing up in the denomination.
Christopher Morehouse, professor of conducting, director of bands and SIU Wind Ensemble conductor in the SIU School of Music, notes that Simon, when discussing “AMEN!,” points to worship services that often include “joyous dancing, spontaneous shouting and soulful singing.”
Simon “definitely captures the spirit in this piece,” Morehouse said.
SIU’s Symphonic Band is comprised of 42 members and the SIU Wind Ensemble is made up of 36 students and eight guests.
“We are very excited to have the Unity Point School Band join us on this concert,” Morehouse said. “This concert features most, if not all, of the School of Music woodwind, brass, and percussion students. There will be quite a variety of music played; something for everyone.”
Each band will perform for about 15 to 20 minutes, Morehouse said.
“We are excited to be able to share a concert with the SIU ensembles and showcase how young musicians can perform at a high level all the while working to find how music fits into their lives,” said Luke Fleisher, the band and chorus director at Unity Point and a School of Music alumnus who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. “We have been working on this and other pieces for the past couple of months. The ensemble and I have worked to not only play the music that is written but to find the meaning and connection and motivations behind the composers.”
The performance will feature:
Unity Point School Band
- “Me (reAffirmation)” by Randall Standridge.
- “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables.
- “Byzantine Dances” by Carol Brittin Chambers.
SIU Symphonic Band
- “Legends of the Galaxy” by Chandler Wilson.
- “Glory” from the film Selma.
- “When the Stars Began to Fall” by Fred J. Allen.
- “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”
SIU Wind Ensemble
- “Sokol Fanfare” by Leoš Janáček
- “Stillwater” by Kelijah Dunton.
- “AMEN!” by Carlos Simon.