During a week when American patriotism is at full staff due to the national election and Veterans Day, West Virginia University’s Symphonic Band will present “Dreaming…of Heroes and Home”, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Creative Arts Center.

“We started the program with a somewhat patriotic theme because of the concert’s date,” said Scott Tobias, director of bands. “We wanted to balance the program with regards to style, tempo and time period and some of those pieces tied in a ‘dream’ theme. From this, the concert title was born.”

The program kicks off with “Parade of Tall Ships”, a piece composed by WVU alumnus Jay Chattaway. Chattaway was an arranger and composer for the United States Navy Band and wrote the piece in 1976 to commemorate Operation Sail, a mission to bring together the world’s windships for a nautical spectacular that culminated in a parade of sails in New York Harbor.

“Three Revolutionary Marches” by Bedrich Smetana, “Galop” by Jacques Offenbach – which contains the melody known as the “Marines Hymn” in the United States – and “Chimes of Liberty” by Edwin Franko Goldman add to the patriotic theme.

Multidisciplinary students from the College of Creative Arts, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, College of Education and Human Resources and School of Pharmacy comprise the WVU Symphonic Band.

“Our musicians have enjoyed working on the literature for this concert,” Tobias said. “The patriotic theme provides a connection through which the students can relate to the music.”

As with all concerts from WVU’s premiere ensembles, WVU students receive free admission with their student IDs. Veterans can also receive free tickets for the event by presenting military ID or proof of service. For general admission tickets, contact the WVU Box Office at 304.293.SHOW or visit Ticketmaster.

-WVU-

bmd/11/4/16

CONTACT: Bernadette Dombrowski, College of Creative Arts
304.293.3397; Bernadette.Dombrowski@mail.wvu.edu

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