Lamar University’s first concert of the 2019-2020 school year featuring the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band is set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, in the Lamar University Theatre.

The Symphonic Band will begin the evening with four works for wind band including “Tempered Steel” by Charles Rochester Young, “Old Scottish Melody (Auld Lang Syne)” arranged by former director of bands Charles “Pete” Wiley, selections from Percy Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy” and the world premiere of “WBL Triumphal,” written by Lamar University alumnus Kelly Bennette.

The Wind Ensemble will begin the second half of the concert with Richard Saucedo’s “Windsprints” followed by two works by Percy Grainger: “Australian Up-Country Tune” and “Children’s March: ‘Over the Hills and Far Away.’”

The Wind Ensemble will conclude the program with Julie Giroux’s tone poem, “La Mezquita de Córdoba” and the Norwegian march “Valdres,” by Johannes Hanssen.

Performers in the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band are Lamar University student musicians.   The conductors are Andrew McMahan, director of bands, and Eric Shannon, assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands.

The concert is sponsored by the Lamar University Band Program, Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Admission is free and the performance is open to the public; no tickets or advanced reservations are required. For more information, contact the Lamar University Music department office at (409) 880-8144.