Symphonic Band, Concert Band presenting Feb. 20 concert

Northwest Missouri State University’s Symphonic Band and Concert Band will perform their first of two spring concerts on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The Symphonic Band is conducted by Dr. Katy Strickland, Northwest’s Dennis C. Dau Professor of Instrumental Music. (Photo by Teja Yedugani/Northwest Missouri State University)

The Concert Band is under the direction of Dr. William Sutton, an assistant professor of music at Northwest. (Photo by Chloe Timmons/Northwest Missouri State University)

The concert, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m. in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.

The Symphonic Band will perform four pieces from across a variety of styles, including Katahj Copely’s “Halcyon Hearts,” John Mackey’s jazz-infused “Let Me Be Frank With You,” Frank Erickson’s “Toccata for Band,” led by student conductor Jacob Wilson, and Julie Giroux’s “Our Cast Aways,” a heartfelt tribute to the millions of companion animals that enter animal shelters each year.

The Concert Band will play a variety of works, including both standards and new repertoire by underrepresented composers. They include Katahj Copely’s “Wildheart,” Robert W. Smith’s “Encanto” and David Holsinger’s “On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss,” with the latter being a concert band setting of the hymn “All Is Well With My Soul.” The ensemble will conclude its program with a lively march, “Coast Guards” by Karl King.

This Symphonic Band, which is conducted by Dr. Katy Strickland, Northwest’s Dennis C. Dau Professor of Instrumental Music, is active during the spring semester and performs a broad range of music literature, including modern wind compositions and light pop selections. The band is open to all Northwest students and presents two concerts during the spring semester.

Founded in 2021, the Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. William Sutton, assistant professor of music, is the newest instrumental ensemble at Northwest. It features brass instruments, woodwinds, percussion and string bass, and it performs music from a variety of time periods and styles, from historically significant works to new band compositions and premieres. There are no auditions to join the ensemble, which is open to all Northwest students and employees as well as local residents. The ensemble presents two concerts during both the fall and spring semesters.

The Concert Band and Symphonic Band are scheduled to perform again at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Charles Johnson Theater.

To learn more about musical ensembles at Northwest, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/music/ensembles/.