NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Wind Symphony will present a concert on Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A live stream link is provided for those who are unable to attend in person at capa.nsula.edu/livestream. 

Dr. Nicholaus Cummins is the guest conductor and Jessica Breaux is the graduate conductor. The soloists are Rafael Melgar Caceres, Dr. Andrej Kurti, Dr. Oliver Molina and Dr. Stephen Clark. 

The concert titled, “Music from the Eyes of Children,” will feature music performed by members of NSU’s Wind Symphony paired with visual art prepared by students from Natchitoches Magnet, NSU Elementary Lab and NSU Middle Lab schools. The concert is rated PG (parental guidance suggested) due to images and topics that some young audiences may find difficult to understand.  

“Not many instrumental concerts have a rating and we thought that this would provide a little curiosity and alert parents of some of the sensitive topics and images that may require explanation to young audiences,” said Anthony Pursell, Northwestern State director of bands and conductor of the Wind Symphony. “In addition to the artwork provided by the area students, we will also honor the students, faculty and staff who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We know that this topic will be difficult for some to understand and experience.” 

When asked about the connection to the concert’s theme and the decision to program the work related to Sandy Hook, Pursell said, “I think it is important for parents and our community to see the creativity these young students have and how their minds process themes related to fantasy, such as outer space (the theme of one of the works). I also think it is important for us adults to understand that while there is beauty, creativity, and curiosity in their eyes, there are also concerns from their perspective that we may never understand. The Sandy Hook tragedy is certainly one of those things that I am thankful for growing up at a different time, but as a parent of two who were six and seven-years old in 2012 (when the tragedy took place), the reality that my two kids were growing up with this as their environment was unnerving.”  

The work, titled “Into the Silent Land” was composed by Sandy Hook alumnus, Steven Danyew and incorporates a short selection of poetry that will be recited by children from the Natchitoches community. The presentation will also be part of the multimedia show along with images captured by the news media, the public and photos offered by the families of the victims. 

Breaux will be in her conducting debut with the Wind Symphony on Alfred Reed’s, “A Festival Prelude.” Breaux is pursuing her Master of Music Education with an emphasis on instrumental conducting at NSU.  

“I have enjoyed watching Jessica work with the Wind Symphony,” said Pursell. “The students in the ensemble have a mutual respect for her, especially knowing that they are her instrument. She takes her work seriously and is very open to their help in developing her craft on the podium. She has been a tremendous asset to our program and to our students.”  

Student artwork will be presented for three of the works on the program, “Music of the Spheres” by Sparke, “Mothership” by Bates and “The Falls” by Galante. “Mothership” will also feature four soloists, all who interact with the ensemble by improvising their solos on the spot.  

“It is not every day that you hear an electric guitar, an amplified violin, a vibraphone, and a classical flautist pair up together, but you will hear it on November 2 in Magale,” said Pursell.  

For more information, please contact Pursell at band@nsula.edu