UA Wind Symphony To Perform At Carnegie Hall April 9

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The UA Wind Symphony will represent the University of Arkansas and the state when it offers a premier performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall April 9. An international committee of musicians selected the symphony for a Carnegie appearance after listening to an audition tape.

"This is a rare honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students," said W. Dale Warren, conductor and director of the Wind Symphony. "Only the very best university ensembles in the country are invited to perform at Carnegie."

The group consists of 70 graduate and undergraduate wind and percussion musicians who come from every college on the UA campus. They will offer a 70-minute program, beginning with the UA "Alma Mater," that includes selections by Aaron Copland, Joseph Turrin, Percy Grainger, Jack Stamp, Donald Granthan, and John Philip Sousa.

"Many of our students cannot afford to pay anything toward this trip, so we’re doing everything we can to help them have this phenomenal educational opportunity," said Warren. "This will elevate our students to heights they can’t imagine. People I have spoken with who have performed in Carnegie with collegiate groups have all said that the experience completely changed the players’ expectations, standards, and even their approach to music."

While in New York, symphony members will act as musical ambassadors for the department, the University, and the state. The appearance will also boost recruiting efforts, Warren said, by placing the Symphony alongside other elite band programs in the U.S. and thereby making the U of A more competitive nationally for the best musicians.

The UA Office of Development is accepting donations in support of the Carnegie appearance. Those wishing to help can send a check made out to Wind Symphony/Carnegie Performance and mail it to Clay Edwards, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, 200 Hotz Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701, or call Edwards for more information at 479-575-5362. All gifts are tax-deductible.