NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Band Program will conclude its academic year with the annual Family Day Concert on Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
The performance will feature all three concert ensembles: the Spring Winds Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony. Led by Assistant Professor of Music Education Dr. Jennifer Pulling, the Spring Winds Concert Band is conducted by undergraduate music education majors who are nearing the completion of their coursework before entering their final residency requirements. The undergraduate conductors are Remi Blanchard, Reon Bell, Harmony Marsh and Tim Pursell.
The Wind Ensemble, led by Director of Athletic Bands Trevor Bailey, will feature student vocalist Kat Wilkinson with selections from the musical, “Wicked.” The ensemble will also play music from their recent performance at the NSU Invitational Band Festival, “Festival Overture” by Dmitri Shostakovich and “A Mother of a Revolution” by Omar Thomas.
Concluding the concert the NSU Wind Symphony will feature student conductors Turner Sugg and Blanchard who will lead two selections recently performed at the Invitational Band Festival.
“In preparation for the Invitational, I asked several of my students to assist in leading the works that were being conducted by our visiting composer, Randall Standridge.” said Director of Bands Anthony Pursell. “I do this to give the students experience in leading a rehearsal and to gain valuable conducting opportunities with an advanced ensemble. It is also helpful for the ensemble to be led by other conductors in preparation of the composer’s visit, so they are not used to only my interpretation. It is only fitting to allow them the opportunity to perform the work in front of their families, considering they put in time and effort in assisting with this process.”
The ensemble will conclude with the performance of a new work by NSU student-composer Juan Arrieta, who is from Colombia
“Juan’s work blends four popular tunes from his country in a very unique way,” said Pursell. “When he presented the idea to me last month, I was instantly interested as it allows him and his fellow Colombian colleagues the opportunity to share a little of their culture with our students.”
