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Southwestern Michigan College’s winter band concert Feb. 27 spotlighted living composers and lower brass provided by 14 musicians visiting from area high schools.

Guest artist Dr. Paul Carlson of Grand Valley State University performed “American Muscle” on tuba by Inez McComas (born 1977).

“American Muscle” pairs notes with noise reminiscent of drag racing, from engines revving to squealing tires.

McComas said the piece “represents the American nature of pushing forward, pursuing freedom and being resilient.”

The three-movement piece was originally written for The Ghettoblaster Project, a series of outdoor performances, primarily in the Netherlands, that combined concert music with recycled noise played through a wall of boomboxes.

Besides preparing selections for trombone choir and tuba and euphonium choir, conducted by Carlson and SMC adjunct low brass instructor William Clark, retired from the South Bend Symphony, students tried out instruments and accessories provided for a “petting zoo” by Quinlan and Fabish Music Co. and Windy City Brass.

Student performers included Clark Courtland, Buchanan High School; Sam Crago, SMC; Emily Hasse, Buchanan High School; Justin Hemenway, SMC; Hunter Hurley, SMC; Daiden Luke, Buchanan High School; Adrian Nichols, Career Academy South Bend; Reagan Perez, Buchanan High School; Cadence Phillips, Watervliet High School; Blake Roll, SMC; Ben Ruland, Watervliet High School; Hector Salguero, SMC; Shelby Schlipp, Watervliet High School; and Cameron Williamson, SMC.

Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth’s SMC Jazz Ensemble and SMC Symphonic Band also shared the bill.

The jazz band played 1989’s “Smooth Talk” by Maria Schneider (b. 1960), who received a Grammy for work with David Bowie; “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul Simon (b. 1941), arranged by Alan Baylock (b. 1967); and 1985’s “Computer” by tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer (b. 1953), a Michigan Interlochen Center for the Arts alumnus.

Symphonic Band featured “The Ascent from Darkness” by Rossano Galante (b. 1967, Buffalo, N.Y.), who studied scoring with Oscar winner Jerry Goldsmith; “Remembering” by LeAndre Benton (b. 1992); and “Khan” by Julie Giroux (b. 1961, Fairhaven, Mass.), depicting Genghis Khan’s army on the move.

SMC’s musicians rehearsed “Remembering” with Benton on Zoom from Texas. “Remembering” premiered May 18, 2023, and was written in memory of three students who attended J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson and one teacher, who all passed away tragically.