University News

WIU Welcomes 31st​ Annual Showcase of Bands

February 15, 2018

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MACOMB, IL -- The 31st annual Western Illinois University School of Music Showcase of Bands will be held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.

The Showcase of Bands gives high school musicians the opportunity to participate in and learn from nationally-recognized wind band conductors and WIU's applied and conducting faculty.

Three high school bands have been invited to attend masterclasses: Metamora High School Wind Ensemble, Chris Render, director; Oakville High School Wind Symphony, Vance Brakefield, director; and Limestone High School Wind Ensemble, Andy Empy, director. An honor band, made up of high school student musicians from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, will also perform.

This year's event will also include the following guest conductors - 2018 Honor Band Conductor, Mike Golemo, chair of the music department and director of bands at Iowa State University; and 2018 Showcase Band Conductor, Professor Joseph Hermann, director of bands emeritus at Tennessee Technical University.

Performances as a part of this year's festival include:

• Friday, Feb. 23 – 7:30 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, WIU Wind Ensemble performance, conducted by WIU's Professor of Music Mike Fansler, with Herman guest conducting.

• Saturday, Feb. 24 – 1 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, Showcase of Bands – high school musicians directed by Hermann.

• Saturday, Feb. 24 – 4 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, WIU Concert Band performance, conducted by WIU's Associate Professor of Music Matt Thomas, with Golemo guest conducting.

• Saturday, Feb. 24 – 4:30 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, Showcase Honor Band, guest conducted by Golemo.

For more information, visit wiu.edu/cofac/bands/ensembles/symphonic_wind_ensemble/showcase_of_bands.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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