University News

WIU's 50th Showcase of Bands Friday and Saturday in COFAC Recital Hall

February 20, 2023

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MACOMB, IL -- The 50th annual Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands will be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.

The Showcase of Bands gives area 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: O'Fallon Wind Symphony, Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, director; Lockport Wind Symphony, Brian Covey, director; and Victor J. Andrews Wind Symphony, Mark Iwinski, 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: 2023 Honor Band Conductor Beth Peterson, associate director of bands at the University of Illinois; 2023 Showcase Band Conductor Steve Peterson, director of bands at the University of Illinois, and Robert W. Smith, internationally-renowned composer from Troy University in Alabama. On Friday night, the Wind Ensemble will perform the world premiere of Smith's Cosmic Harmonies.

The 2023 Showcase of Bands performances include:
• Friday, Feb. 24 – 7:30 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, WIU Wind Ensemble performance, conducted by
WIU's Director of Bands Mike Fansler. Guests include Assistant Professor Paul Chinen, oboe soloist; Steve Peterson, guest conductor; and Robert W. Smith, guest composer.

• Saturday, Feb. 25 – 1 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, Showcase of Bands – high school musicians directed by Peterson.

• Saturday, Feb. 25 – 4 p.m. – COFAC Recital Hall, WIU Concert Band performance, conducted by WIU's Associate Professor of Music Matt Thomas, with Beth Peterson guest conducting. Showcase Honor Band, also guest conducted by Peterson.

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

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing