Symphonic winds begins concert season Sept. 22

Press Release Date: 09-01-2011

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Symphonic Winds will open the 2011-12 concert season with a program of British music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 22, in the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Southeastern’s premier instrumental ensemble will present “Keep Calm and Carry On,” featuring special guest conductor David Clemmer.

The Symphonic Winds is a performing ensemble of Southeastern students and is open to qualified students in all disciplines pending competitive audition.

Admission is free and the concerts are open to the public. For more information, contact the Music Department at 580-745-2088 or Director of Bands Dr. Jacob Wallace at 745-2084.

"Professor Clemmer is an amazing musician, as evidenced by his outstanding performances as a member of the faculties of the University of Kansas, Sam Houston State University and the University of Texas at Arlington," Wallace said. "He will be conducting Malcolm Arnold’s "English Dances, Set 1" and I’m very excited to see the beautiful refinement and interpretation he brings to it."

The program will also include the "British Eighth March," "Second Suite in F for Military Band," "Illyrian Dances" and "Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1."

Wallace noted two extremely popular British works on the program.

"It’s a thrill to be able to conduct Gustav Holst’s suites," he said. "If you were to ask great wind conductors across the world today to list the 20 most important pieces for band, you’d have a hard time finding many who wouldn’t list both the "First and Second Suites."

"Likewise, Edward Elgar’s "Pomp and Circumstance No. 1" might be the most famous piece of British classical music ever written," he said. "Most people know the trio very well – it’s played at nearly every high school and college graduation ceremony in the country – but many don’t know the rest of the piece, which is extremely difficult and virtuosic. It’s a fantastic way to close the program."