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Free concert features three student ensembles

Oct. 6, 2009

KALAMAZOO--More than 180 Western Michigan University music students will perform in a free, public concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Miller Auditorium.

The performance will include three ensembles from the WMU School of Music: the University Symphonic Band, Collegiate Singers and University Chorale. The program will include "Tres Cantus Laudendi" by Mack Wilberg, the principal composer and arranger for the Morman Tabernacle Choir, and "Mass of St. Thomas Aquinas" by Martin Ellerby.

University Symphonic Band

The University Symphonic Band is dedicated to the outstanding performance of significant wind band literature, including original works for band, compositions for specified wind ensemble instrumentation, and finely crafted orchestral transcriptions. The ensemble maintains an active performance schedule on and off campus, representing the School of Music across the country. In recent years, the Symphonic Band has appeared at Cobo Hall in Detroit, at national and divisional conference meetings of the College Band Directors National Association, and at an annual meeting of the Music Educator's National Conference. In addition, the band has performed at major concert halls in Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and China. The ensemble is conducted by Dr. Robert L. Spradling, director of WMU bands.

University Chorale

University Chorale's annual performance itinerary includes concerts on and off campus, and an international tour every three years. The mixed-voice choir has performed opening concerts for the Midwestern Music Conference, the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music, and the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. In 2002, the Chorale became the first choir from the United States to receive the Grand Prize at the Robert Schumann International Choral Competition. Three years later, the group won the silver medal at the 28th International May Choir Competition, part of the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing series of competitions. The ensemble is conducted by Dr. James K. Bass, director of choral studies at WMU.

Collegiate Singers

The 75-voice Collegiate Singers is made up of musicians who represent the University's nine academic colleges. Conducted by Dr. James K. Bass, director of choral studies at WMU, the ensemble regularly performs major works with original orchestration and holds a yearly concert series on campus.

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Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu

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