The world premiere of Texas composer Barry Hurt's "Alaska: The Great Land" took place in Palmer on Sept. 24. The 10-minute multi-movement work is a panoramic tone poem about Alaska's history using musicians who play the scores while moving in a complex choreography simultaneously -- all from memory.
There are few players in Alaska capable of such a performance. In fact, the only ensemble that can handle it right now is probably the Northern Sound of Colony high school, the band that gave the premiere -- at this time the only high school marching band in the state.
Read more: Marching to the championships: Alaskas only high school marching band prepares to vie for national honors
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