DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac’s new band director, Benjamin VanRoekel – a 2019 Southwestern Michigan College graduate and tenor saxophonist from Paw Paw – capped his first band camp Aug. 10 previewing this fall’s halftime show.
VanRoekel’s Chieftain Marching Band performed selections from John Williams-themed “A Night at the Movies.”
VanRoekel, a veteran of Western Michigan University’s Bronco Marching Band, said of Williams as his musicians took Chris Taylor-Alumni Field, “He’s an incredibly prolific composer with a career spanning seven decades. (With 54), he’s the second-most nominated person for Academy Awards after Walt Disney. We’re playing a ‘Star Wars’ compilation. Second is themes from ‘Jurassic Park.’ Later in the season our closer will be a mashup of ‘Jaws’ and ‘Superman.’
“There are a few reasons why this show was chosen,” he added. “First, the music of John Williams is very teachable. It isn’t too incredibly challenging to put together with a smaller band, especially because of how recognizable the melodies are. They also still sound great despite being easier arrangements.