UW Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band to Perform at UW Feb. 21

The University of Wyoming’s Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will present “Spectacle” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall.

Tickets are $14 for the public, $10 for senior citizens and $6 for students. A nominal processing fee will be charged for each ticket. To purchase tickets, visit the Performing Arts box office, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984.

The concert explores music from modern to ancient that is intended to command attention. The Symphonic Band -- conducted by Department of Music faculty member Joseph Carver, with assistance from graduate student Logan Dominguez -- will present “Backlash” by Katahj Copley; “Kentucky 1800” by Clare Grundman and directed by Dominguez; “Aces of the Air” by Karl King; and “Rest” by Frank Ticheli.

The UW Wind Symphony -- conducted by UW music faculty member Matthew Schlomer, with assistance from graduate student Malori Barnhart -- will perform “Selections from the Danserye” by Tielman Susato; “The Sight That Awaits Us” by Kelijah Dunton; and “Dancefares” by Jess Turner.

Highlights of the Wind Symphony’s set include Michael Mower's “Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble,” performed by UW faculty member and flutist Nicole Riner; and “Circus Polka,” a piece originally written by Igor Stravinsky as a ballet for dozens of "young elephants."

Praised for her “luscious, full sound” and “effortless precision,” Riner maintains an active national presence as a recitalist and pedagogue. She has presented master classes at universities and conservatories across the country and has performed with orchestras and at music festivals in the U.S., South America and Europe.

A champion of new music, Riner also has commissioned and premiered numerous works as a soloist and chamber musician and currently serves as president of the Flute New Music Consortium. She teaches flute and entrepreneurship classes at UW, where she also oversees the Music Entrepreneurship Certificate program and runs the Flute Studio.

Schlomer is an international artist whose broad background as a saxophonist, composer, arranger, dancer, actor and award-winning visual artist informs his unique approach to performance and concert programming. He avidly pursues diverse artistic collaborations and is an advocate of new music.

Formerly conductor at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, Schlomer is an active guest conductor and passionate educator who presents his innovative pedagogy to national and international audiences.

Carver is UW’s associate director of bands and is the Western Thunder Marching Band director. He teaches undergraduate classes in music education. Carver was a music educator for nine years in Ohio public schools, where he primarily served as a high school band director.

For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu