UGA Wind Ensemble closes season with 3 world premieres on April 21

On Thursday, April 21, UGA’s Wind Ensemble closes the 2021-22 season with a concert featuring 3 world premieres and several guest artists.  The program will also honor musicians performing in their final concert at UGA, acknowledging their many contributions to the Band Department and School.

Graduate conductor Davaron Edwards opens the program with John Mackey’s concert march Xerxes.  Graduating DMA student Emily Mariko Eng leads the world premiere of dear diary… written by undergraduate Ayako Pederson-Takeda, who was the 2020-21 large ensemble composer-in-residence at The Hugh. 

Faculty soloists Michael Heald and Maggie Snyder play the world premiere of Adam Gorb’s Concerto for Violin, Viola, and Wind Ensemble.  “The opportunity to perform a work that is tailor made for the soloists and ensemble is like driving a luxury car on an open highway,” says Interim Director of Bands, Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger.  “I am excited for our audience to hear Adam Gorb’s work and grateful to have him here for the performance.”

The second half features graduate conductor Jeremy Smith and Vincent Persichetti’s Serenade No. 1 for Ten Wind Instruments.  We continue in our program with a musical tribute, As Long As Stars Shall Shine, by composer Andrew E. Lawson, in remembrance of a dear friend.  Peter Boyer’s Fanfare, Hymn and Finale, is a hopeful and spirited conclusion, under the baton of graduate conductor David J. Stanley.

We hope you will join us for this special culmination concert, celebrating our year of return to live performance.  The event is Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall.  Tickets are $12 for adults, $3 for students.  If you are unable to attend in-person, live streaming is available.  Visit www.music.uga.edu/live-streaming to tune in.  For more program information or questions, please contact the band office: 706.542.1505, or ugabands@uga.edu.