Special Wind Symphony Concert Thursday at UW

The University of Wyoming Wind Symphony will present a special concert Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for Performing Arts concert hall.

Tickets cost $10 for the public, $6 for seniors and $3 for students. For tickets and information, call (307) 766-6666, visit www.uwyo.edu/finearts or visit the Wyoming Union or Performing Arts Center box offices.

The UW Wind Symphony will perform major works for the wind band, including the “Symphony in Bb” by German composer Paul Hindemith.

A special feature of the program is a piece written by music instructor Jim Colonna in memory of a mutual friend, John Wacker, says Scott Meredith, UW Department of Music assistant professor.

“John was very dear to me and I am honored to be able to be at the premier of this wonderful memory of him,” Meredith adds.

Wacker, who died last May, earned both a music and law degree from UW and was director of bands at Western State University in Gunnison, Colo., at the time of his death.

Colonna wrote the piece "To Live in Hearts We Leave Behind."

“Jim’s connection to Wyoming is from his serving several years as director of bands at Laramie County Community College, and writing several works that have been programmed by the UW Wind Symphony,” says Bob Besler, who conducts the UW Wind Symphony.

Featured in the piece will be a trumpet trio of Meredith; Bill Pfund, Wacker’s trumpet teacher at Northern Colorado; and Jeff Worrall, who studied trumpet with Wacker at Western State and now is a UW graduate assistant.

They will play offstage, and the trio represents Wacker’s family: wife, Nancy, and their two children, Brian and Elizabeth.

The concert will open with one of Belser’s favorite band works, the spirited “Rocky Point Holiday.” George Schrader, the Mick and Susie McMurry graduate assistant with UW Bands, will guest conduct the classic “Divertimento.” Vincent Persichetti wrote the piece for the famous professional ensemble, The Goldman Band of New York.

“Reminiscent of the summer Municipal Band concerts, the first half will close with the “Entry March of the Boyars,” by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen. Closing the concert will be the “Symphony in Bb.”

UW musicians Katie Brose of Fort Collins, Colo.; Megan Olson of Cheyenne; Tim Painter from Laramie; Chelsea Reimann of Buffalo; and Sarah Trembly of Lander, will perform in their last semester with the Wind Symphony. They will be recognized during the concert.