Wednesday, February 20, 2002
|
Wednesday, February 20, 2002 |
|
Wind ensemble celebrates historic milestone As the inception of the wind ensemble celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Fayette County High School wind ensemble has been invited to mark the occasion by performing a special concert. The ensemble has been asked to perform for the National Band Association and the Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Dr. Donald Hunsberger, conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble of the Eastman School of Music at Rochester University, will be the guest conductor. He will be directing the band on "Irish Tune from Country Derry" and "Shepherd's Hey" by Percy Grainger. The band's performance under the director of Hunsberger is significant for two reasons: the symphonic wind ensemble movement was first established by Eastman's first conductor, Frederick Fennell, and Hunsberger, who is only the third conductor at the Eastman School of Music, will retire after this year. "It is a tremendous honor for the Fayette County wind ensemble to perform under the baton of Dr. Hunsberger. We were invited to give the performance because organizers of the event knew of our band from past performances," said Kenny Beard, FCHS band director. Not only will the performance be an honor for the ensemble, but Beard said it is going to hold special significance for him as well. "I attended the Eastman School of Music while working on my master's degree and was in the Eastman wind ensemble with Dr. Hunsberger. The connection will make the performance that much more interesting," he said. The FCHS performance will be the opening concert of the convention. The concert is free and open to the public. "The ensemble would be honored with the support of our community on Feb. 20. I would like to invite everyone to come out and take part in this special performance," said Beard.
|
||