Jackson, Southeast wind symphonies to perform at Academic Hall

The Jackson High School Wind Symphony received a rare honor this year -- the ensemble was chosen to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association conference this coming January.

The band will be one of only five high school ensembles playing at the conference. And while most locals won't be able to see that performance, they can catch a peek of Jackson's musical prowess next week.

On Thursday, the Jackson symphony will team up with Southeast Missouri State University's own Wind Symphony for a dual concert at Academic Hall.

Tom Broussard, an assistant conductor with the Jackson symphony, said this is the first time a Jackson ensemble has been selected to play at the conference, and the first time in about 20 years a Southeast Missouri ensemble has been selected to play. Jackson was selected from audition tapes submitted by more than 70 bands from throughout the state.

The selections to be performed aren't holiday themed.

At the university concert the 55-member, audition-only elite band from Jackson will perform two pieces -- Fantasia in G by Timothy Mahr and "Molly on the Shore" by Percy Grainger.

The Southeast Wind Symphony will round out the evening with "American Overture for Band" by Joseph Wilcox, Prelude in E Flat Minor by Dmitri Shostakovich and the march from "Symphonic Metamorphosis" by Paul Hindemith.

The Hindemith piece is a "heavyweight" orchestra piece written for a full orchestra that translates well to a wind ensemble, said university band director Dr. Barry Bernhardt.

The university winds have a concert every semester, but not always with a high school ensemble, said Bernhardt. But when he heard about the honor bestowed on Jackson, he extend an invitation to Jackson director of bands Scott Vangilder, a Southeast alumnus, to join in the concert.

"We're honored that they would allow us to come in as their special guests," Broussard said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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WANT TO GO?

• What: University Wind Symphony and Jackson High School Wind Symphony in concert
• When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1
• Where: Academic Hall auditorium
• Info: 651-2265