CORVALLIS - The Oregon State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by David Becker, will present its fall concert on Sunday, Nov. 17. The program begins at 3 p.m. at LaSells Stewart Center, 26th St. and Western Boulevard, on the OSU campus.

"New Worlds," the theme selected for this concert, refers to the exploratory nature of the compositions and the fact that the OSU band program has undergone significant changes during the past year. Becker, who joined the OSU Department of Music this year as conductor-in-residence, will conduct the 49-member ensemble, which is OSU's premiere wind and percussion group.

Becker, a well-known figure in music education in Oregon, has been director of bands at Lewis and Clark College for more than 20 years. He has led several organizations, including the Oregon Music Educators Association, Oregon Symphonic Band, Oregon Ambassadors of Music, and Oregon Band Director Association.

Guest conductors for the concert are Brad Townsend, OSU's new director of athletic bands, and Brett Randolph, a graduate teaching assistant in music education.

Townsend will conduct "Old Wine in New Bottles" for chamber winds by Gordon Jacob. Randolph, who also performs as principal trumpet for the ensemble, will conduct William Schumann's classic for concert band, "Chester," from "New England Tryptich."

The featured composition on "New Worlds" is Roger Cichy's "Galilean Moons." OSU faculty member and percussionist Robert Brudvig, another member of the band program staff, will perform with the ensemble and has assembled and coached the large percussion section needed to meet the demands of this piece.

Another new work, "A Hymn for the Lost and Living" by Eric Ewazen, is a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy and a pensive look at the new world all of us have entered in the aftermath.

Other works on the program include "Marche Hongoise" from "The Damnation of Faust" by Hector Berlioz, "Chester Leaps In" by Steven Bryant, "Mambo Furioso" by Brant Karrick, and "Comrades of the Legion" by John Philip Sousa.

Tickets are available at the door for $7. Students are admitted free of charge.

For more information, call 541-737-4061.

Source: 

OSU Music Department, 541-737-4061

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