Valerie Coleman - Roma
December 2, 2022
The Symphonic Band performs Valerie Coleman’s Roma, conducted by Shawn Vondran.
Program Note
Roma was commissioned by the College Band Directors National Association and was written to depict the language and traditions of the Romani peoples. The composer writes: "A nation without a country is the best way to describe the nomadic tribes known as gypsies, or properly called, the Romani. Their traditions, their language (Roma), legends, and music stretch all over the globe, from the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, and the Iberian Peninsula, across the ocean to the Americas. Roma is a tribute to that culture, with five descriptive themes, as told through the eyes and hearts of Romani women everywhere: Romani Women, Mystic, Youth, Trickster, and History. The melodies and rhythms are a fusion of styles and cultures: Malagueña of Spain, Argentine Tango, Arabic music, Turkish folk songs, 3/2 Latin claves, and jazz."