The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the 57th annual Wind Ensemble President’s Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.

The WIU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Professor of Music and Director of Bands Mike Fansler, will perform several world premiere performances by: WIU alumnus Dennis Eveland; WIU alumnus Robin Butler; an arrangement by WIU Assistant Professor of Composition Hong-Da Chin, featuring C. T. Vivian Diversity Teaching Scholar in Vocal Performance Ru Huang, soprano and Chin, dizi; and James Stephenson, featuring Assistant Professor of Saxophone Charlie Chadwell. This concert will also feature WIU graduate conductors Brian Drews, Morgan Miller and Benjamin Scholz.

This performance is open free for general audience seating and will be live-streamed on the School of Music’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

PROGRAM:

Mike Fansler – conductor
with
Charlie Chadwell – saxophone
Ru Huang – soprano
Hong-Da Chin – dizi, composer
James Stephenson – composer
Robin Butler – composer
Brain Drews – graduate conductor
Morgan Miller – graduate conductor
Ben Scholz – graduate conductor

Fanfare for a Joyful Occasion (1958) – William Alwyn (1905-1985)
– Brian Drews, graduate conductor

Suite No. 1 for Band (2023) – Dennis Eveland (b.1952)
I. Journey
II. Persistence
III. Celebration
– Benjamin Scholz, Graduate Conductor
*World Premiere Performance*

It’s Time to Say Goodbye (2022) – Robin Butler (b. 2000)
*World Premiere Performance*

BRIEF PAUSE

Jasmine Flower (2023) – Traditional/ arr. Hong-Da Chin (b.1985)
– Ru Huang, soprano
– Hong-Da Chin, dizi
*World Premiere Performance*

Code of Conduct (2023) – James Stephenson (b. 1969)
– Charlie Chadwell, saxophone
*World Premiere Performance*

BRIEF PAUSE

Folksongs for Band Suite No. 2 (1984) – David Stanhope (b.1952)
I. The Jolly Sailor
III. Rufford Park Poachers
IV. Keel Row
– Morgan Miller, Graduate conductor

Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (1846) – Richard Wagner/arr. Lucien Cailliet (1813-1883)

For more information, call the COFAC Recital Hall office at (309) 298-1843 or visit wiu.edu/recitalhall.

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.