Wind Ensemble Concert on April 20 to Feature Pre-Concert Talk

HOLLAND - The Hope College Wind Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.

The concert will be preceded at 7 p.m. by a talk, also in the chapel, highlighting one of the works on the program.

The public is invited to both the talk and the concert.  Admission is free.

The concert program is titled "Calling, Ever Calling," named for the main piece that the wind ensemble will be performing, an oboe concerto written by Dana Wilson.  The concerto will feature Sarah Southard, instructor of oboe at Hope, who will be presenting the pre-concert remarks, focused on the Wilson piece.

The ensemble will also be playing several chamber works, including Mozart's "Overture to La Clemenza di Tito" and Ewazen's "Symphony in Brass."  The percussion section will be featured in its own piece, and the program will conclude with "Dance Movements," by Phillip Sparke.

The wind ensemble is directed by Dr. Gabe Southard, assistant professor of music.  A member of the Hope faculty since 2007, Gabe Southard completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting at Michigan State University. Prior to his residence at MSU, he served as wind symphony conductor and flute studio teacher at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he also taught orchestration, music appreciation and advanced conducting.  While living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Southard served as conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble from 1999 to 2002.

Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located at 277 College Ave., on College Avenue at 12th Street.

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