Wind Symphony concerts to spotlight Sousa classic

wind symphony

The Northwest Wind Symphony under the direction of Carl Kling.

It's turning into a busy month for the Northwest Wind Symphony, which will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Charles Johnson Theater on the Northwest campus before traveling to Lincoln, Neb., to play an invited concert for the Nebraska Music Educators Association at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Lied Center.

Highlights of the Maryville performance, which is free and open to the public, will include "Kirkpatrick Fanfare," an Irish-themed piece composed by Andrew Boysen Jr. for the 1999 dedication of the James C. Kirkpatrick Library at the University of Central Missouri.

In addition, featured trombonist Terry Rush, longtime director of instrumental music at Lincoln High School, will join the ensemble during both performances for "Thoughts of Love: Valse de Concert" by Arthur Pryor.

The trombone solo from "Thoughts of Love" was the first featured performance by 22-year-old Arthur Pryor of St. Joseph as a member of the legendary band led by John Philip Sousa. The Sousa Band played the piece at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, and accounts of the day describe the audience as listening in awe before exploding into cheers and applause.

The Wind Symphony will also perform "The Red Machine," which was written by Peter Graham on a commission for the London-based Regimental Band of Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards.

A storied military unit, the Guards are perhaps best known for the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where their precision marching has led to their being called "The Red Machine."

Other Wind Symphony program selections include "Divertimento for Band" by Vincent Perischetti; "Contri qui, rose" by Morton Lauridsen; and "Danse Diabolique" by Joseph Hellmesburger.

The Northwest Wind Symphony, under the direction of Carl Kling, assistant professor of music and director of bands, is the Department of Music's premiere instrumental ensemble. Sixty members strong, the ensemble is active in its support of quality music designed for younger players and recently introduced "pops" performances designed to bring quality wind music to new audiences.

In late December, both the Wind Symphony and Rush's Lincoln High School Marching Band will travel to England, along with the Bearcat Marching Band and the Northwest Jazz Ensemble. Both marching bands are scheduled to participate in London's New Year’s Day Parade, while the Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble will perform at a gala concert on Sunday, Dec. 30, in Westminster.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone (660) 562-1704
Fax (660) 562-1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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