BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University’s Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Darrin Oehlerking, will present a concert of contemporary literature and classic band repertoire at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, in the Bemidji High School Auditorium.

Admission to the concert is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and free to all students.

The Wind Ensemble, Bemidji State’s premiere performing band, will present a program titled “Let’s Dance!” featuring a variety of dance-related pieces from North America and around the world. Works include “Armenian Dances,” a collection of folk dances by Alfred Reed, and “Country Gardens,” composed by Percy Grainger to preserve the folk music of the United Kingdom. Also included will be Igor Stravinsky’s “Circus Polka,” music for a young elephant; a playful, bright and bouncy piece commissioned as a ballet for pachyderms in the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

The Symphonic Band program will include “Pageant” by American born Vincent Persichetti; “Lyric Essay,” a slow, reflective piece written in neo-romantic style by Donald Coakley; and “Three Ayres from Gloucester” composed by Hugh Stuart around a 10th century poetic couplet. Beth Holzhueter, a senior in music education from Bemidji, will lead the Symphonic Band as a guest conductor in “I Vow to Thee, My Country” by Gustav Holst, a favorite song of Diana, princess of Wales, that was sung at her wedding and funeral.

Since its inception in 2002, the Wind Ensemble has appeared with internationally renowned conductors and soloists. In 2004, the ensemble performed at the Minnesota Music Educator’s Association, marking the first time in 30 years that a BSU ensemble was selected for such an honor.

The Bemidji State Symphonic Band is a non-auditioned ensemble that performs a variety of music in a concert band setting and is open to non-music majors, music majors performing on secondary instruments and members of the community.

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

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Feb. 22 – 3 p.m. – Bemidji State University Wind Ensemble, along with the BSU Symphonic Band, perform in concert. Location: Bemidji High School Auditorium. Admission: $5 adults, $3 senior citizens and free to all students.