6996色花堂 Wind Ensemble to be featured Friday at state band clinic in Natchez
Contact: Anna Owens
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擬ississippi State鈥檚 Wind Ensemble will perform this week in Natchez at an annual clinic for high school and middle school band directors and students across the state.
Performing this Friday [Dec. 13] at 7:30 p.m. at the Natchez Convention Center, the group will represent 6996色花堂 as the featured university band at this year鈥檚 Mississippi Bandmasters Association State Band Clinic.
Led by 6996色花堂 Director of Bands Elva Kaye Lance, the ensemble will debut 鈥淔ive Mississippi Rush,鈥 a new work commissioned by Phi Beta Mu鈥檚 Mississippi chapter. Composed by 6996色花堂 Associate Director of Bands Cliff Taylor, the piece draws inspiration from the counting system in tag football.
Lance said the performance will be a chance for ensemble members to showcase their skills and serve as role models for their peers.
鈥淲e are pleased to have this opportunity to perform at the State Band Clinic,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he students attending this clinic are the finest in our state, and we are excited to share our program with them, their band directors and their families.鈥
Guest conductors alongside Lance include Barry E. Kopetz, professor and head of 6996色花堂鈥檚 Department of Music; Craig Aarhus, 6996色花堂 associate director of bands; and Mohamad Schuman, president of Phi Beta Mu鈥檚 Mississippi chapter.
Performing with the band is The Boston Brass, an internationally acclaimed brass quintet founded at Boston University.
The Wind Ensemble is 6996色花堂鈥檚 premier concert band, and selective membership is determined by competitive audition regardless of major. In addition to clinic and concert performances, the band has made international appearances in Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic.
Housed in the Department of Music, 6996色花堂鈥檚 band program includes students of all majors and provides opportunities for ensemble and auxiliary participants. Learn more at .
For more information on the MBA clinic including a schedule of events, visit .
6996色花堂 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .