UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's Symphonic Wind Ensemble will host the Michigan State University Wind Symphony in an evening of American music written for wind instruments at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble is conducted by Dennis Glocke. The Michigan State University Wind Symphony is conducted by Kevin Sedatole. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $4 for students. Buy your tickets in advance for School of Music concerts and save 40 percent off the price of admission. Tickets are available at the Eisenhower Ticket Center, 814-863-0255 or 800-ARTS-TIX. Tickets purchased on the the day of the concert are not eligible for discount.
The Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform a program of music inspired by Manhattan, a repertoire presented this month at the President's Concert at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City. The Michigan State University Wind Symphony is stopping at University Park on its way to Carnegie Hall where it will present a concert honoring the 10th anniversary of John Corigliano's symphony for winds titled "Circus Maximus." Originally commissioned by the University of Texas, the work is in eight movements. In both the circus movements and the third "Channel Surfing" movement, Corigliano revels in enormous contrasts with sirens, percussion barrages and a gunshot. These are set against two movements symbolizing the efforts of contemporary society to escape chaotic environments.
Program
Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble
"Manhattan Roll" -- Robert BeaserSymphonic Dances from "West Side Story" -- Leonard Bernstein/Paul Lavender
Michigan State University Wind Symphony
"Traveler" -- David Maslanka"Circus Maximus": Symphony No. 3 for Large Wind Ensemble -- John Corigliano
The Michigan State University Wind Symphony includes approximately 60 musicians who perform as a full wind symphony and also as smaller chamber wind groups. The Wind Symphony comprises the most outstanding wind and percussion majors in MSU's College of Music, and other gifted nonmusic majors who are selected by audition. The group is dedicated to the performance of the finest wind repertoire, regardless of period or disposition of instrumental forces. Using the player pool concept, the ensemble — consisting primarily of graduate and upper-division undergraduate students — performs music ranging from works requiring as few as six players to repertoire for full wind band. Flexible instrumentation and player rotation provide members of the ensemble with a variety of responsibilities, challenges and playing experiences.
The Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the premier wind/percussion ensemble in the School of Music. Conducted by Dennis Glocke, this highly select 40-member ensemble is comprised of the finest wind and percussion instrumentalists on campus. It performs a variety of repertoire ranging from chamber music to literature that utilizes the full ensemble. It concertizes both on and off campus, and is open to all students, regardless of major, by audition.