The East Central University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will perform their Spring Concert Monday night [APRIL 18] with guest conductors, student conductors and three guest oboe players. The winners of the prestigious Saied Awards in instrumental music also will be announced.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. It is free and open to the public.
The Symphonic Band will be conducted by students in the Music Department’s conducting class. They are Justin Cody, Tecumseh junior; John Cook, Stroud graduate student; Stephen McCleskey, Lone Grove sophomore; Jesse Milam, Bethel junior; Erica Phillips, Ada junior; and Kristin Stecklein, Vinita junior.
Their program will include “Cameo Suite” by Thomas Root, “An Irish Interlude” by Warren Barker, “Kenya Contrasts” by William Himes, “Three Ayres from Gloucester” by Hugh Stuart, and “A Childhood Hymn” by David Holsinger.
The Wind Ensemble will perform “Undertow” by John Mackey, conducted by Dr. Allen Correll, ECU director of bands; “Country Gardens” by Percy Grainger, conducted by Bronson Warren, acting vice president of student development; “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger, conducted by Dean Coale, former University of Tulsa Wind Ensemble director; and “Suite of Old American Dances” by Robert Russell Bennett, also conducted by Correll.
The Wind Ensemble will include three guest oboe players who were former members of the Oklahoma All-State Band and are daughters of the three Wind Ensemble conductors. They are Amanda Hall, daughter of Dr. Allen Correll; Leslie Mossman, daughter of Dean Coale; and Heidi Sivils, daughter of Bronson Warren.
The Saied Award is presented to the students who advanced the most in each class during the year. It also is based on students’ character and contribution to the music program. The late James Saied, an ECU graduate and founder of the Saied Music Company in Tulsa, established the award. Saied portrayed John Philip Sousa, America's “March King,” as he conducted concerts across the country, including at ECU. He also led the successful effort to have Sousa's “Stars and Stripes Forever” designated as America's official national march.
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