BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University’s Wind Ensemble will present its season finale concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 2, with guest conductor Dr. Reed Thomas of Middle Tennessee State University. Thomas will introduce his recently transcribed “Concerto for Trombone” by Italian composer Nino Rota.

The concert will be held in the Main Theatre of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for all students.

Featured in the concerto will be trombone soloist Dr. Joel Pugh, BSU director of bands and assistant professor of low brass. The composer, Rota, is best known for his film music, including “The Godfather.” This will be only the second performance of Thomas’ band transcription of the concerto solo.

Also included in the program will be “Prelude to a Shining Day” by Yo Goto, “Spin Cycle” by Scott Lindroth and “Symphony in E flat” by Dr. Shafer Mahoney, a New York composer who is in residence at the Julliard School of Music and Hunter College in Manhattan, N.Y.

Reed Thomas
Dr. Reed Thomas is director of bands at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tenn. Prior to his appointment at MTSU, Thomas held similar positions as the director of instrumental studies at Indiana-Purdue University Ft. Wayne, Ind., and as the director of bands at Adams State College in Colorado. He also has served as the assistant director of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band and conductor of the North Star Band at the University of Minnesota. Prior to Minnesota, he was director of bands for seven years at two public high schools in Utah.

For more information, contact the Department of Music at (218) 755-2915.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
May 2 – 7:30 p.m. – Wind Ensemble season finale concert presented by Bemidji State University. Location: Main Theatre of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, BSU campus. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for all students.