LINDSBORG, KAN., November 21, 2011—Dr. Jared Chase, director of bands and chair of the music department at Bethany College, recently finished a a busy weekend conducting three ensembles in four days.

On November 4,Chase appeared in a children’s concert with the Salina Symphony as a part of its educational programs. He conducted portions of Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations and explained the meaning behind the music and about the use of theme and variations.

On November 5, Chase was the guest clinician for the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) South Central District Middle School Honor Band. The ensemble included over 100 students selected from schools in Wichita, McPherson, Hutchinson, and surrounding cities. Chase rehearsed the ensemble for a concert that afternoon at Andover Central High School.

Chase commented, “It was great to be able to work with these talented students and to have a chance to meet so many directors and parents in the area who attended the concert.”

On November 6, Chase led a performance of Elgar’s Enigma Variations as a guest conductor with the Salina Symphony. He said, “Many people know Elgar as the composer of Pomp and Circumstance which is played at graduation ceremonies. In 1899, the Enigma Variations is what turned Elgar into an internationally famous composer. Most people will recognize the ‘Nimrod’ variation as it is one of the most famous melodies in all of music.”On November 8, Chase and the Bethany College Music Department hosted the Wheat State League Honor Band, a group of 75 of the top band students from Centre, Goessel, Peabody-Burns, Solomon, Wakefield, and White City. The students came to Bethany, rehearsed with Chase, spoke with Dean of Recruitment and Marketing Tricia Hawk and other Bethany Students, ate in the campus cafeteria, and gave a concert at the end of the day with the Bethany Brass Ensemble.

“It was a very successful event!” Chase said. “All these events were great exposure for Bethany College as some of these students have a love for and want to major in music, but many are also looking for colleges where they can be involved in music while still majoring in another area.  I had an opportunity to meet a lot of music teachers and musicians and tell them about the great things we are doing at Bethany.”

On November 13, Chase conducted the Bethany Symphonic Band’s second concert and is preparing for performances of White Christmas at the Salina Community Theatre in late November and December.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.

Contact:

Molly Perez

(785) 227-3380, ext. 8235

perezm@bethanylb.edu

Bethany College

335 East Swensson Street

Lindsborg, KS 67456