Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony coming to UW-Stevens Point

For the Metro Wire

Work by an internationally acclaimed guest composer will be featured in a concert by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Friday, March 2.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. in Michelsen Hall at the Noel Fine Arts Center, featuring work by John Mackey, an award-winning composer who works have been performed across the world.

The Wind Symphony will perform Mackey’s “Sheltering Sky” as well as “Florentine March” by Julius Fučik and “First Suite for Band” by Alfred Reed. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform “Aurora Awakes” by Mackey, “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland and “First Suite in E-flat” by Gustav Holst. The wind ensembles are led by Assistant Professor Michael Butler, director of bands at the university.

Mackey will also work with more than 90 high school students as part of UW-Stevens Point’s Honor Band Festival, March 2-3. The event concludes Saturday, March 3, with a free concert at 4:30 p.m. in Michelsen Hall.

Mackey specializes in writing music for symphonic winds and dance and has been commissioned by the Dallas Wind Symphony, Alvin Ailey Dance Company and American Bandmasters Association. He has won numerous awards and grants for compositions and served as a composer in residence at many universities, symphonies and music festivals. He holds degrees from The Julliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music.

Tickets for Friday’s concert are $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $5 for UW-Stevens Point students, faculty and youth and free the day of the concert for students with a UW-Stevens Point I.D. if not sold out. Tickets are available at the University Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center, by calling 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378 or at http://tickets.uwsp.edu.

Tickets may be purchased at the door if available. Proceeds benefit student scholarships.