The Albert Lea High School concert band will perform a world premiere of a composition at the spring band concert Monday evening.

Band director Peter Gepson said he’s known composer Daniel Kallman, of Northfield, for a few years. Kallman is known for the Lutheran hymnal “With One Voice,” and the piece “The Jig Is Up,” among other compositions. Kallman wrote a piece called “Entrada and Courtly Dances,” and Gepson said it’s a good fit for the band.

“I’m excited that we’re getting to play a world premiere,” Gepson said.

The piece wasn’t written for the concert band, but Gepson had hoped for the band to play something by Kallman. The composer then offered this unpublished piece.

Gepson said when it does get published it will include the name of the band who first played it. He told his students someday they might be at a concert, hear the piece and be able to say they played it first.

Kallman visited the band about a month ago to hear the piece, and he’ll be at the concert Monday. Gepson hopes it helps the students see that composers are making music today, and that not all music was made way in the past.

“It’s interesting to see them as regular people,” Gepson said. “Composing is a lot of hard work.”

The concert, symphonic and tiger bands will all perform at 7 p.m. Monday in the Albert Lea High School auditorium. Student Ray Stephenson will conduct “Arioso,” which will be played by the symphonic band. Awards from throughout the year will also be given out Monday evening.

Tickets, please
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium
How much: $7 for adults; $5 for students