JOHNSON CITY – The internationally acclaimed East Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble will present its first concert of the semester this Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Martha Street Culp Auditorium of the D.P. Culp University Center. This program is part of the 23rd annual ETSU Honor Band Festival sponsored by the university band program.
The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Paul R. Hinman, director of university bands, will begin the program with "Rise of the Firebird," a new work by Steven Reineke, a young composer making a name for himself as a writer for both bands and orchestras. The second selection is "English Dances Set II" by Malcolm Arnold and transcribed by James Suddeth. This work is recognized as one of the standards for the modern wind symphony.
The third selection is taken from a popular hymn. "God of our Fathers" was written by Thomas Knox in 1981 for the United States Marine Corps Band to perform during that year's inaugural ceremony of President Ronald Reagan. Knox served as staff arranger at that time. This selection features guest conductor Marshall Forrester, director of bands at Carson-Newman College.
"Them Basses" by G.H. Huffine is the next selection on the program. This traditional regimental march features another Honor Band Festival guest conductor, Jay Romines, a former director of bands at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville who is now director of the instrumental music program at Knoxville Catholic High School. Following this march, the Wind Ensemble will perform "Fort McHenry Suite" by a rising young female composer, Julie Giroux, under the direction of guest conductor Capt. Scott Guidry, commander of the United States Air Force Band in Boston. This three-movement suite will feature narration by Dr. Mary Dave Blackman, chair of the ETSU department of music, and Jimmie Self, ETSU low brass instructor.
Next on the program is one of the new concert overtures available to the modern symphonic band. "Platte River Run" by Larry MacTaggart was commissioned by Fremont High School at Offett Air Force Base in Nebraska. Subtitled "A Nebraska Overture," the work pays tribute to the "simplistic beauty and rich history" of the state.
The final selection is a work by Jacques Press. "Wedding Dance" is the composer's attempt at creating the jovial atmosphere of a Hebrew wedding celebration. The complexity of this work makes it a popular addition to concerts presented by university and professional ensembles.
This concert is free and open to the public. For more information or for special assistance or seating for persons with disabilities, call the ETSU band office at (423) 439-6951 or 439-4276.