Professor Nelson's Fond Musical Farewell to Keene State
KEENE, N.H. 4/10/06 - In his final concert before retirement, Professor Douglas Nelson will direct the Keene State College Concert Band on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Theatre of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. Tickets are $7 for the general public and $5 for KSC students, senior citizens, and youth 17 and under. Call the box office at 603-358-2168.
Among the concert’s highlights will be the premiere performance of “North Country Fanfare,” a new composition written specifically to honor Douglas Nelson, by William Pardus, Professor Emeritus of Music and former chairman of the Music Department at KSC.
Professor Nelson has programmed several of his favorite pieces for Concert Band, including Sammy Nestico’s march The Silver Quill, Norman Dello Joio’s multi-movement Scenes from the Louvre, and a suite from Carl Orff’s dramatic Carmina Burana, arranged for concert band by John Krance.
This concert also marks the conclusion of the Redfern Arts Center’s 25th season. There will be displays in the lobby relating to the building’s history, as well as a celebratory reception following the concert.
Douglas Nelson has been a professor of music at Keene State College since 1971, serving as chairman of the Music Department for 21 years, and as Director of Bands teaching courses in Music Education, Conducting, and Applied Low Brass instruments. In 2006, Professor Nelson was honored by the New England College Band Association with the NECBA Lifetime Achievement Award and by the New Hampshire Music Educators Association with the NHMEA Lifetime Achievement Award, an award that had never been given before by that association. He was also presented with a commendation by Governor John Lynch for his dedication to music education and for his years of commitment to public service in the State of New Hampshire. He has hosted many special events at Keene State, including four All-State Festivals, one All-New England Festival, one NH Jazz All-State Festival, 16 Tuba Christmas events, 14 Invitational Band Festivals, and two New England Intercollegiate Band Festivals. The April 29 concert will be the last of more than 100 concerts that Nelson has conducted at KSC.
The audience is invited to remain after the performance for light refreshments to celebrate Professor Nelson’s distinguished career and the Redfern Arts Center’s 25th anniversary. The reception is free, but reservations are requested. Please call the Box Office 603-358-2168 by Friday, April 21, if you will be attending the reception.
