Southern Miss Bands to Present Series of Free Events Beginning March 6

Tue, 02/28/2023 - 04:29pm | By: Mike Lopinto

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Band Program will present a series of free concert events In Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.

Under the direction of Dr. Travis Higa, the Concert Band takes the stage at 8 p.m. March 6. The following day, March 7 at 7:30 p.m., the Symphonic Winds performs under the direction of Dr. Colin McKenzie. The university’s top band, the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Catherine Rand, performs March 9 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy these three evenings of wonderful music.

The Concert Band’s repertoire includes “Black Tie Blu-hop” by J. Scott McKenzie, “Old Home Days” by Charles Ives, “Still water” by Kelijah Dunton, “Bravura” by Charles Duble, and “Play” by Carl Homequist.

The Symphonic Winds selections include “Sol Y Sombra” by George Gates, the world premiere of Saint Cecilia by Southern Miss Professor Emeritus Luigi Zaninelli with School of Music piano professor, Dr. Ellen Elder, and the “Suite from Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff, arranged by Johan Krance.

“I feel particularly honored to perform this new work by our distinguished colleague Luigi Zaninelli,” said McKenzie. “He is part of a rich legacy of musicianship at the School of Music and our students have the opportunity to work with and experience him first-hand.”

The Wind Ensemble will feature two exceptional student soloists selected by audition among their peers. The “Concerto for Tuba and Wind Ensemble” by Gary D. Ziek will be performed by Dawson Foster, tuba with Dr. Travis Higa, guest conductor and Freddy Mora-Quiros, clarinet, will perform “Black Dog” by Scott McAllister with Kyle Aufderhar, graduate conductor. Also on the program is the classic “Toccata Marziale” by Ralph Vaughan Williams with Robert Picco, graduate conductor.

Dr. Rand wraps up the program with a new composition by Southern Miss alumnus Alan Theisen, entitled “Archaic Machines.” Featuring Southern Miss Saxophone Professor, Dr. Dannel Espinoza on baritone saxophone, the quirky contemporary movements are entitled “Madness In Any Direction, “Midnite Trip,” and “Corrupted Files from Galactical Planets.”

“A combination of several different types of music I have long found exciting: Latin jazz, funk, vintage film scores, and crunchy Modernist classical music, to name just a few, I hope audiences find the piece memorable, gorgeous, and exhilarating,” said Theisen. “I am honored that my work will be performed by my alma mater's superb wind ensemble and two of my previous collaborators, Dr. Dannel Espinoza and Dr. Catherine Rand.

“The USM Wind Ensemble has had a special place in my heart since my days as a student at Southern Miss (1999-2006). I fondly recall performances by that group, and they were critical to my development as an artist.”

For more information, call 601.266.4990.