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Wisconsin Honors Band Festival

This past weekend I had the distinct pleasure of conducting the “Illinois” Band at the Univeristy of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Honors Band Festival. It was an amazing weekend. The kids were terrific, worked hard, and hopefully enjoyed themselves. I certainly did. Thank you to everyone at the university of being great hosts. We performed:

  • “Illinois” Band – Wisconsin Honors Band Festival
    • A Sailor’s Odyssey – David Barbowicz (Grand Mesa Music)
    • Korean Folk Rhapsody – arranged by James Curnon (Jenson/Hal Leonard)
    • A Renaissance Festival – arranged by Ken Singleton (Grand Mesa Music)
    • Symphony No. 4 for Winds and Percussion – Andrew Boysen, Jr. (manuscript)

I was quite humbled work with the other guest conductors for the other bands who are all amazing musicians. Dr. Scott Tobias (Appalachian State University) conducted the “North Carolina” Middle School Band and Michael Kaufman (Grand Ledge High School) conducted the “Michigan” Middle School Band. James Keene (University of Illinois) conducted the High School Honors Band. John Culvahouse (University of Georgia) conducted the “Georgia” High School Band. Linda Hunter (Montana State University) conducted the “Montana” High School Band.

  • “North Carolina” Middle School Band – Scott Tobias, conductor
    • On Wings of Eagles – Mark Williams
    • Ballade – Daren W. Jenkins
    • Novo Lenio – Sam Hazo
  • “Michigan” Middle School Band – Michael Kaufman, conductor
    • Joy – Frank Ticheli
    • Suite in a minor mode – Dimitri Kabalevsky, arranged by Seikman
    • As Winds Dance – Sam Hazo

Adam Frey served as the guest soloist in residence. He was amazing! What an unbelievable virtuosic and wonderful musician.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bands were stunning in how polished their performance of some very difficult literature was.

  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Wind Ensemble – Thomas L. Dvorak, conductor
    • American Salute – Morton Gould
    • Euphonium Concertino – Kevin Kaska (Adam Frey, euphonium)
    • Dance Folatre – Claude T. Smith

What a great festival and weekend!

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