(Kingsford High School photo) THE KINGSFORD HIGH SCHOOL BAND, under the direction of Jacob Barnby, will debut “To New Horizons,” a piece written specifically for the school by Brandon Nelson of Ishpeming, during a concert April 27 in the high school auditorium.

KINGSFORD — The Kingsford High School Band will perform a new composition written specifically for the school by Brandon Nelson of Ishpeming.

The concert will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27, in the high school auditorium.

Nelson said he wrote the piece, “To New Horizons,” to celebrate the change of band leadership from Benjamin Sherk to Jacob Barnby.

Sherk led the band for more then 30 years. Barnby, a native of Onaway, Mich., and December 2015 Northern Michigan University graduate, said he was contacted by Nelson this summer.

“I am very honored that Brandon has chosen to compose this fun piece to commemorate the beginning of my time at Kingsford,” Barnby said.

“I think we’re all aware of local band programs that take on a certain legendary quality over the years. In my area, one such program is that at Kingsford,” Nelson said. “For many years, under the leadership of Ben Sherk, the bands attained a very high level of musicianship and, in the case of the marching band, showmanship. The whole community fell in love with its unique band program.

Of course, one person can’t keep going forever. It’s always a formidable challenge to ‘fill the shoes’ in a legendary program, but through intelligence, determination, and lots of community of support, Mr. Barnby has successfully begun a new chapter for Kingsford.”

With this piece, Nelson wanted to both honor the legacy of Sherk and wish Barnby and the Kingsford community many continued years of great music. “To me, the piece captures both the dynamic spirit and immense challenges posed by major changes in life. The technical aspects employed, I feel, give a fitting voice to these feelings,” he said.

Barnby said they have just begun diving it to the roughly 7-minute piece. “It’s very involved; it’s quite difficult in places, although it will seem less difficult the more we play it,” Barnby said.

He said the time involved in learning a new piece depends on skill level of the players. He would label this a level-four piece and the Kingsford band is at a four to five level.

“It’s going to take us a while to get the notes and rhythms down but that’s the bulk of it. Then it’s fine tuning — figuring out how to add the musical elements like the louds and softs and the dynamics, balancing the parts so it’s heard well.”

Nelson said in writing the piece he employed the essential operations of German musician Hugo Riemann in developing the harmonic framework, lending it a flavor he describes as “unique yet somehow familiar, like an echo of the past with subtle overtones of the future.”

“The way he’s written it, he’s made it really accessible. It sounds very difficult but easy to teach,” Barnby said.

Barnby also appreciates how Nelson found the strength of the 96-piece band. “There are several soloists, from flute to trumpet to horn, and it’s really going to give the seniors a chance to be highlighted,” he said.

“It’s a really cool experience for these kids, being able to be part of the premiere of a brand-new piece that’s never been heard. I’ve told them we have a big responsibly to get it right. The recording that we make will be thee recording that others listen to when they first try to learn this piece,” Barnby said.

Nelson said he plans to attend the premiere and will give brief remarks before the performance.