The 草莓社区 will present a program of contemporary concert band music 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 11, in Lehman Auditorium.

The 28-member group, conducted by James W. (Jim) Warner, will perform “Psalm 46” by John Zdechlik and “With Quiet Courage,” Larry Daehn’s musical tribute to Lois Daehn, premiered by the U.S. Navy Band on Sept. 16, 1995.

The ensemble will also perform a pair of recent European compositions – “Ammerland” by Jacob deHaan and “Melody in Five” by Jan Hadermann. The latter piece is notable for its constant 5/8 time signature throughout.

Also on the program will be “Inventions from The Sacred Harp” by James Curnow. Based upon the hymn tune “Resignation,” this piece was published in 2005. The concert will conclude with “The Hounds of Spring,” inspired by Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem of the same name.

Warner, who is also director of the EMU Jazz ensemble, taught in public schools for 34 years in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, most of this time as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School. He retired from HHS in July, 2005.

Admission to the concert is free.

The EMU will present a concert of sacred jazz and big band standards 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 7 in Lehman Auditorium.

The band, directed by James W. (Jim) Warner, will perform sacred selections including "Softly and Tenderly" arranged by Jeff Anderson and unique arrangements of "Doxology" and "All Creatures of Our God and King" by Aaron Weitekamp.

Big band standards will include "Indiana," arranged by Dave Barduhn, "All The Things You Are," arranged by Lennie Niehaus and "Where Or When," arranged by Gordon Goodwin.

, instructor in voice at EMU, will be featured soloist on several selections.

Warner, who became director of the EMU Jazz ensemble in January 2005, is in his 27th year as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School. In addition to directing symphonic band, concert band, marching band and jazz ensemble, he has developed and implemented an advanced level music theory program dealing with both traditional and jazz harmony, courses in jazz solo improvisation, new programs in music technology for beginning musicians and basic music for limited English proficiency (LEP) students.

Warner earned a bachelor of music education and a master of music degree in trumpet performance from West Virginia University. Following service as a military musician, he began a 34-year career as a public school band director in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia schools. He is a former member of the orchestra.

Admission to the concert is free.

The 草莓社区 , directed by James W. (Jim) Warner, will present its fall concert 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in EMU’s Lehman Auditorium.

The 32-member group will play a varied program of music, including "Three Chorale Preludes" by William Latham based on "Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light," "My Heart is Filled With Longing" and "Now Thank We All Our God."

The group will also perform "The Walking Frog," a circus walkabout by Karl King arranged by Robert E. Foster, "Toccata" by Frescobaldi arranged by Earl Slocum, "O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen transcribed for band by Robert Reynolds, "On An American Spiritual" by David Holsinger based on "Were You There" and "All Creatures of Our God," a contemporary setting by Stephen Bulla.

The concert will mark the EMU Wind Ensemble’s sixth year at EMU. The ensemble, started by former EMU professor Stephen W. Sachs, is made up of current and former EMU students and musicians from the local community.

Warner, who also directs the EMU , is retired after serving 26 years as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School and a total of 34 years as a high school teacher. He is a former member of the orchestra.

Admission to the concert is free; donations are welcomed for the student scholarship fund.

It’s a cool night of hot jazz.

“,” a big band ensemble at 草莓社区, will present a fall concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, in Lehman Auditorium.

The 18-member group, directed by James W. (Jim) Warner, specializes in jazz arrangements of familiar hymns ranging from “Jesus Loves Me to “God of Grace and God of Glory” as well as ballads and swing tunes. Band members will do improvisation solos during most selections.

, instructor in music at EMU, will be featured soloist on “The Last Tango” and “Love is Here to Stay.”

Warner, who became director of the EMU Jazz ensemble in January 2005, is retired after serving 26 years as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School and a total of 34 years as a high school teacher. He is a former member of the orchestra.

Admission to the program is a suggested $5 donation for the EMU music student scholarship fund.

“EMU Jazz,” a big band and vocal ensemble at 草莓社区, will present its 23rd annual spring concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 1, in Lehman Auditorium.

The 16-member group, directed by James W. Warner, specializes in jazz arrangements of hymns and spirituals as well as ballad and swing tunes. The program repertoire will range from Mike Tomaro’s “Island Breeze” to Gordon Goodwin’s arrangement of the theme from “Frazier” to “After Hours” by Jeff Benedict to “Amazing Grace,” arranged by Aaron Weitekamp.

Sarah Schlabach will perform as vocalist with the band on “Blue Skies,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon” and “Almost Like Being in Love.” Doug Wandersee will be featured on alto saxophone in “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and Caitlin Miller will be alto saxophone soloist on “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Greg Sachs will be featured trombone soloist on several numbers as will Ben Arnold on tenor saxophone.

Warner, who became director of the in January 2005, is in his 26th year as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School. In addition to directing symphonic band, concert band, marching band and jazz ensemble, he has developed and implemented an advanced level music theory program dealing with both traditional and jazz harmony, courses in jazz solo improvisation, new programs in music technology for beginning musicians and basic music for limited English proficiency (LEP) students.

Warner earned a bachelor of music education and a master of music degree in trumpet performance from West Virginia University. Following service as a military musician, he began a 34-year career as a public school band director in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia schools. He is a former member of the orchestra.

Admission to the program is free; contributions are welcomed for the EMU music student scholarship fund.