The UNC Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, with the help of an award-winning composer, will perform for the first time this semester Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memorial Hall.
This scholarship benefit concert will feature Brian Balmages, an award-winning composer and director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In addition, the UNC Wind Ensemble and UNC Symphony Band will perform the musical pieces “Sundance,” “Illyrian Dances”, and two pieces conducted by Balmages, “Grace” and “Midnight on Main Street.”
“For the symphony band, I chose a wide variety of music that would create some immediate success for students in the ensemble, but that would also offer challenges and opportunities for both individual students and the ensemble to grow musically,” said Arris Golden, director of UNC Symphony Band. “Additionally, when I found out that composer Brian Balmages would be joining us, I added a second of his pieces, allowing him the opportunity to conduct both his compositions.”
Golden said she enjoys the opportunity to work collaboratively with her students.
"They are the thing that makes the Symphony Band — and really all bands here at UNC — great,” said Golden.
Among these students is Sarah Casey-Summers, a sophomore and possible music education major. She said she's extremely excited to perform with Balmages, and she can’t wait for the concert.
“I think people should come to the concert because there are a lot of great musicians at UNC that are coming together to play great music,” Casey-Summers said. “I also think it will be interesting to see how Balmages interpretation and how he conducts us.”
UNC symphony band students are not the only ones hyped for the concert.
