FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833 or daniel.finney@drake.edu

CLASSEN’S COMPOSITION AIMS FOR HOLE-IN-ONE

Drake University jazz professor Andrew Classen has composed a series of musical sketches inspired by Des Moines’ Waveland Golf Course that will make its United States premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 25th Street and University Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

The series, titled “The Waveland Suite,” follows an imaginary journey through the course at 50th Street and University Avenue. Founded in 1901, Waveland Golf Course is the oldest public golf course west of the Mississippi River.

“The first movement captures the essence of being the first one off the tee on a spring morning,” Classen says. “The ostinato sweeps up and down the rolling hills, with the trumpet and clarinet playing a serene melody.”

Classen, who premiered the piece in January while performing in Acapulco, Mexico, is a regular at Waveland. He and his golfing group have a tradition of singing the theme from Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” when one of them muffs a shot and gets a “mulligan” or “do-over.”

The allusions to that theme “is hidden somewhere in the middle of this movement,” Classen says.
“I love this golf course,” he adds. “My dogs and I know every inch of it.”

- 30 -