The Gustavus Wind Orchestra, conducted by James Patrick Miller, has been selected to perform as one of the featured ensembles at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) North Central Division Conference in Chicago, February 20-22, 2020.
Eight college bands were chosen for this honor, and Gustavus will perform alongside music powerhouses including Indiana University, Northwestern University, and Michigan State University. The ensembles were selected based on blind audition tapes adjudicated by a panel of three judges.
President of the CBDNA North Central Division Conference Russ Mikkelson, says it was important to have a diverse make-up of schools represented during the conference. Gustavus is notably several times smaller than most schools performing at the conference and was one of only two ensembles from smaller institutions selected for the opportunity. “I am absolutely delighted with the quality of the groups chosen for these slots and believe both Gustavus and Capital University (Ohio) will represent their schools and our 10-state division of CBDNA with distinction,” he says.
The Gustavus Wind Orchestra will perform a 30 minute concert at 2 p.m. on February 20 at Holtschneider Performance Center’s Gannon Concert Hall on the campus of DePaul University. The performance is free and open to the public. The ensemble’s program will include world premier of a piece by Gustavus faculty member Alexandra T Bryant entitled These Things Which Divide as well as Wildcat Run, composed and guest conducted by renowned composer Jim Stephenson. Gustavus Wind Symphony conductor Heidi Joanna Miller will also take the podium as a guest conductor.
This is the Gustavus Wind Orchestra’s second appearance at a CBDNA regional conference, the group also performed in 2016. During its time in Chicago the ensemble will also perform at 7 p.m. on February 21 at Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and will work with students February 22 at the Merit School of Music (Chicago, Ill.).
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