Malone University's Jesse Ayers' Works to be Performed by "Windiana"

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Jesse Ayers, D.M.A., Composer

CANTON , OH (11/04/2011)(readMedia)-- The Malone University College of Theology, Arts, and Sciences – Department of Music announces that Jesse Ayers, D.M.A. professor of music, will have three compositions performed Thursday, November 17, by the Windiana Professional Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler.

Windiana is billing the concert as "Ayers' Biblical Epics Trilogy," and the performance will include three major band works by Dr. Ayers: "Rahab," "Jericho," and "...and they gathered on Mount Carmel" (selected to represent the United States at the 2003 World Music Days in Europe).

The concert will take place in Valapraiso, Indiana, at the historic Memorial Opera House. The box office number is 219-548-9139.

Windiana is a professional-level concert band, with a mission to perform concert band literature at the highest level and to provide a concert band opportunity for professional-level musicians. Members of Windiana are professional-level musicians who have studied with some of the most notable musicians in America.

More about Dr. Ayers can be found at:

http://www.malone.edu/faculty/jesse-ayers.php

About the compositions:

"Rahab" a 36-minute, one-woman concert-story surround-sound work for mezzo-soprano and symphonic band. This is the story of Rahab, the harlot of Jericho. This is a story of God's redemption: death turned to life, despair to hope, and ruin to blessing. The part of Rahab will be sung by Dr. Beth Ray Westlund of the voice faculty of Luther College (Decorah, Iowa).

"Jericho" is a 16-minute surround-sound work for band and narrator about the battle of Jericho. "Rahab" tells the story from inside the wall, "Jericho" tells it from outside. In addition to the narration, the work employs unorthodox audience participation, including singing and a great battle shout. "Jericho" draws a parallel between the Jericho, a stronghold of the enemy, and the strongholds of the Enemy in our personal lives, which can only be brought down by the power of God.

"...and they gathered on Mount Carmel" is a 25-minute, 3-movement work depicting the contest in ancient Israel between the prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal. This was the first of Dr. Ayers' surround-sound works. The three movements are "The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal," "The Prayer of Elijah," and "The Fire of the Living God." The last movement was selected a few years back to represent the United States at World Music Days in Europe.

Malone University, a Christian university for the arts, sciences, and professions in the liberal arts tradition, affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 100 academic programs. Malone is recognized by the prestigious Templeton Foundation as a leader in character development, named one of Northeast Ohio's Top Workplaces by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and is ranked among the top colleges and universities in the Midwest under the category Regional Universities according to U.S.News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2012.