Virginia Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble to make Carnegie Hall debut
The Virginia Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Travis J. Cross, will make its first-ever appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Tuesday, April 9, at 8 p.m to play in the New York International Music Festival.
Cross, assistant professor in the Department of Music, will lead the 50-piece ensemble in four selections. The group opens with Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide,” which will be followed by “Memento,” a piece composed by Cross.
“Groovy Loops,” written by alumnus 1994 music alumnus Scott McKenzie, currently an assistant conductor for the United States Army Field Band, will make its premiere and be conducted by Dave McKee, director of the Marching Virginians. David Maslanka’s “Symphony No. 4” rounds out the group’s Carnegie selections.
“We’re thrilled to play in a world-class performance space and take Virginia Tech on the road,” says Cross.
The ensemble is becoming accustomed to playing in prestigious venues with a celebrated debut at the Kennedy Center in 2011.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, comprised of musicians from all classes and academic departments, is the premier wind band at Virginia Tech. The ensemble presents at least two concerts on campus each semester and performs regularly across the state and region on tour and at music conferences.
A yearlong fundraising campaign led by students including Laura Schneider of Hot Springs, Va., a senior music education major, helped make it possible for all members of the ensemble to travel to Carnegie Hall. To help raise money, a local radio station featured an on-air quintent from the ensemble to encourage support for the trip.
“Donors included friends, family, and alumni as well as local business owners,” said Schneider, a bass clarinet player and vice-president of the ensemble. “Our department provided a large contribution but we wanted to make sure that all of our members were able to make this trip.”En route to Carnegie, the group will perform Monday, April 8, at Centreville High School at 7 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public.
Tickets for April 9 are still available at the Carnegie Hall box office for $30.
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