The West Virginia University Wind Symphony, a select group of the finest wind and percussion performers at the University, will present a concert Monday, Nov. 17, featuring WVU School of Music professor Lynn Hileman as bassoon soloist.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre of the Creative Arts Center.

It will be conducted by John Hendricks III, and Christopher J. Nichter. Hileman will perform in “Concerto for Bassoon” by Frigyes Hidas

The 50-member Wind Symphony performs at a near-professional level presenting at least four concerts each year comprised of the finest classical and contemporary wind literature.

The program includes:

Fanfare to “The Hammer” by Anthony O’Toole
– This lively concert opener was written as a musical tribute to the legendary baseball player Hank Aaron, whose long career in the sport is full of notable achievements and milestones.

“After a Gentle Rain” by Anthony Iannaccone
– Images are created in the listener’s mind from this impressionism-influenced work. These images are reflected in the titles of the works’ two movements: “The Dark Green Glistens With Old Reflections” and “Sparkling Air Bursts With Dancing Sunlight.”

“Commando March” by Samuel Barber
-The famed composer Samuel Barber composed this concert march to reflect the “progressive nature” of the U.S. Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force).

“Fantasy Variations (on a theme by Niccolo Paganini)” by James Barnes
– Many composers, including Brahms and Rachmaninoff, have arranged sets of variations on this famous Paganini theme; however, this is the first setting for wind band. The twenty variations showcase soloists and every major section of the ensemble.

“Primavera: Beautiful Mountain Winds” by Satoshi Yagisawa
– A work that was commissioned to reflect both the beauty of the Yamanashi Prefecture (Province) of Japan and the bonds of four decades of shared history that unite the Kofu Community Band.

“Concerto for Bassoon” by Frigyes Hidas
– This delightful three-movement concerto was written by Hungarian composer Frigyes Hidas, who wrote music for various genres, particularly instrumental concertos, brass chamber music and wind band scores.

“Barn Dance and Cowboy Hymn” by Philip Sparke
– Take the famous barn dance, give it new twists in rhythm and meter, combine it with the distant singing of a tranquil cowboy hymn, and you have a lively and innovative concert closer.

Hendricks is the conductor of the WVU Wind Symphony. He serves as director of bands in the WVU School of Music and is also assistant dean of recruiting and retention for the College of Creative Arts.

Nichter is assistant director of both the WVU Marching Band and the Basketball Pep Band, and serves as one of the conductors for all three WVU concert bands. He also teaches music education courses in the WVU School of Music.

Hileman is assistant professor of bassoon and music theory at WVU, co-director of the WVU Double Reed Ensemble, and a member of the Laureate Wind Quintet. She is also principal bassoonist of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra and makes up one half of the contemporary bassoon duo “Tuple.” She is in much demand throughout the United States as a recitalist specializing in contemporary music. Hileman has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles and is dedicated to reinvigorating concert music through the performance of post-classical contemporary and experimental music, orchestral and chamber music, as well as electronic music and interdisciplinary arts.

For concert tickets and information, call the WVU Box Office at (304) 293-SHOW.

-WVU-

cl/11/13/14

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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