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Sousa marches into Miller Auditorium

Oct. 7, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's School of Music brings back the era of the 'March King' when "Stars, Stripes and Sousa" marches into Miller Auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 16.

The show, beginning at 3 p.m., is a fundraiser for the WMU Symphonic Band and will recreate a Sousa concert. It will look like the Sousa Band, sound like the Sousa Band and even look as if it's being directed by John Philip Sousa, who died more than 70 years ago.

This recreation of a Sousa concert will come to life when the Western Michigan University Symphonic Band, under the baton of world-renowned conductor and Sousa authority Keith Brion, turns back the pages of music history by authentically replicating the concerts Sousa presented with his professional touring band across the United States and Europe at the turn of the 20th century.

The program will include overtures, humoresques, patriotic salutes and, of course, marches. Scott Thornburg, WMU professor of music, will perform the famous Herbert L. Clarke cornet solo, "Bride of the Waves," and soprano soloist Monica Griffin will sing popular works from the turn of the century. The entire concert will be conducted by Brion in his role as John Philip Sousa.

The concert will raise funds for the symphonic band to help finance an invitation to perform at colleges and conservatories in the People's Republic of China in April 2006.

Tickets are $22 for the general public and $12 for students and can be purchased at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office or the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo, by phone at (269) 387-2300, or online at www.millerauditorium.com.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

WMU News
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