The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Musicwill present a week of free concerts featuring the four concert bands of the University Band program and special guest performances April 27–May 1 on the Hattiesburg campus.
Each performance will take place on the Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium.The final concerts of the semester showcase the artistic achievements of students and honor the dedication and contributions of graduating members. The public is invited to attend all performances.
Kicking things off at 8 p.m. on April 27, the University Band will present a program including “Tico” by José Abreu, “Joy” by Frank Ticheli, “Autumn” by Cait Nishimura, “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim (arr. Cofield), “Darklands March” by Randall Standridge, “Into the Clouds” by Richard Saucedo, “Voices in the Singing River” by Ayatey Shabazz, “The Southern Dawn” by William Owens and “Kentucky 1800” by Clare Grundman. The band is under the direction of Cody Edgerton and features graduate conductors Daniel Broadus and Adrian Ramirez.
At 7:30 p.m. on April 28, the Southern Miss Concert Band will welcome the Purvis High School Concert Band to share the stage. The Purvis ensemble will perform selected works from its season and recent concert contest.
The USM Concert Band program includes “Fanfare and Evocation” by Viet Cuong, “Heart on Fire” by Kevin Day and a band standard by John Moss. The concert will also feature a side-by-side performance of both bands performing “Country Club Stomp” by JaRod Hall and “Thawing” by Kazuki Shimoda. The Purvis High School Concert Band is under the direction of Wade Bouchard, and the USM Concert Band is led by Cody Edgerton.
A special engagement will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 with the Airmen of Note on a one-night-only tour stop. The ensemble will perform a program ranging from big band hits of the 1940s to new compositions written for the tour. The Airmen of Note honor those who have served, inspire patriotism and connect global audiences on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. Though the concert is free, advance tickets are suggested and are available on the U.S. Air Force Band’s website.
Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the Airmen of Note consists of 17 active-duty musicians and one vocalist. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the group has presented big band jazz to audiences through annual U.S. tours, international deployments and performances throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The ensemble has collaborated with artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan and Doc Severinsen.
The series continues at 7:30 p.m. on April 30 with the Southern Miss Wind Ensemble in a program titled “American Visions: Tradition and Transformation.” The program highlights five composers whose works explore American culture and its connection to the broader world.
Featured works include Carmen Dragon’s arrangement of “America, the Beautiful,” Samuel Augustus Ward’s composition; John Williams’ “The Cowboys Overture,” originally written for the film “The Cowboys” starring John Wayne; and William Schuman’s “When Jesus Wept,” based on the work of William Billings and part of Schuman’s “New England Triptych.”
The Wind Ensemble will also premiere Alexandra Gardner’s “Time Unfolding” for alto saxophone, featuring Southern Miss saxophone professor Dannel Espinoza as soloist. The program concludes with “Tarot” by Lindsay Bonnenkant.
The Symphonic Winds will close the series at 7:30 p.m. on May 1 under the direction of Dr. Travis Higa. The program features standard repertoire, world premieres and guest artists.
The concert opens with “Noisy Wheels of Joy” by Eric Whitacre, conducted by graduate teaching assistant Daniel Broadus, followed by the world premiere of “Four Latin American Dances” by Adrian Ramirez, conducted by the composer. Also featured is the world premiere of “Rains of April” by Lanie Niide.
Guest conductor Dr. Rob Abend, associate director of bands at the University of South Alabama, will then lead Percy Grainger’s “Children’s March.” The concert concludes with “Kingfishers Catch Fire” by John Mackey.
For more information or to learn more, visit University Bands and the School of Mu