EIU Media Relations

EIU Wind Symphony to Explore Modern Works

The Eastern Illinois University Wind Symphony will explore the musical and visual possibilities of the modern wind band with its “The Art of Wind Band” concert on Friday, Feb. 26, in EIU's Doudna Fine Arts Center.

The performance, featuring a variety of styles and subjects, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall. The concert will open with the intense “Mother Earth” fanfare, written with a meditative, spiritual center by award-winning composer David Maslanka.

In honor of Black History Month, the ensemble will acknowledge Rosa Parks and the sacrifices of those involved in America’s Civil Rights movement in “A Movement for Rosa” by Mark Camphouse. This emotional work will be accompanied by a special introduction, as well as a visual presentation.

Eric Ewazen’s “Shadowcatcher," based on Edward Curtis' famed and controversial photographs from the beginning of the 20th century, seeks to musically portray the images of the vanishing American Indian way of life. Two movements of the work will be presented by the Wind Symphony and the EIU Faculty Brass Quintet (Mark DeGoti and Jeremy McBain, trumpet; Katie McBain, horn; Jemmie Robertson, trombone; and Todd French, tuba).

The Wind Symphony will use theatrical elements to take the audience on a virtual journey 3 miles below the earth’s surface with Russell Peck’s 1975 performance art piece “Cave."

Guest composer Jim Bonney will join the Wind Symphony for a premiere of his driving, angular “Diabolus ex Machina.”

The evening will conclude with John Mackey’s ode to the Roman goddess Aurora, “Aurora Awakes,” a musical depiction of the coming of light. The work, which EIU Wind Symphony conductor Milton Allen calls "a dazzling display of what the modern wind band has to offer," recently won the American Band Association/Ostwald Award for composition, the highest such honor.

The EIU Wind Symphony -- composed of approximately 45 auditioned musicians from across campus -- is the premier band of the EIU University Bands. It has received praise from many composers and artists, including Libby Larsen, the Boston Brass, Steven Bryant and Timothy Mahr, as well as conductors Russel Mikkelson and Timothy Reynish.

Admission will be $5 for the general public, and $3 for senior citizens, EIU employees and students. For tickets and information, or to arrange accommodations for persons with special needs, contact Doudna Fine Arts Patron Services (217-581-3110 or doudnatix@eiu.edu) or visit the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office.

The Doudna Fine Arts Center is a division of the EIU College of Arts and Humanities. For more information, please see http://www.eiu.edu/doudna.