Una Band Program Ends Year With President's Concert

Apr. 20, 2015

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Carole Maynard, University of North Alabama Music and Theatre

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama Band program will end the academic year with the annual President's Concert, titled Fanfares, Flourishes and Finales, on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m.

"The President's Concert is the culminating concert for the UNA Band program," said Dr. Lloyd Jones, director of bands. "Through the years this event, which honors the UNA president and his guests, has become a celebration of this multifaceted program."

The concert will feature the UNA Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Studio Jazz Band. The Percussion Ensemble will also perform, and the new UNA 2015 Pride of Dixie auxiliary members will be introduced.

The program will include Boerma's "Fanfare for a Golden Sky," Tchaikovsky's "Finale to the 4th Symphony in F Minor" and a salute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Studio Jazz Band will play such classics as "Sister Sadie" and Artie Shaw's "Clarinet Concerto," featuring Dr. Meghan Merciers, UNA assistant professor of music, on clarinet. The concert will close with "Salute to Glenn Miller," which intertwines many of the bandleader's biggest hits.

"The President's Concert will have a variety of musical styles and genres that audiences have come to expect from the UNA Band program," said Jones.

The President's Concert is traditionally held on the same weekend as the UNA Invitational Honor Band, which celebrates its 19th year this April. The five honor bands, comprised of approximately 100 members each, are chosen from more than 1,000 middle and high school applicants each spring.

Honor Band participants complete eight hours of rehearsal time and perform a concert on Saturday morning, April 25, at 11 a.m., in Norton Auditorium.

"The recruitment impact of this event cannot be overstated," said Jones. "Students, directors and parents from all over the southeastern United States converge on Florence and the UNA campus to participate in this April event."

Honor Band students, directors and parents are invited to attend the President's Concert on Friday evening to hear the UNA Bands and learn more about what UNA has to offer.

The President's Concert will be held in Norton Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and military personnel and children 10 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased online at una.edu/music-theatre (service fee will apply), at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and at the door.

For more information: the UNA Department of Music and Theatre at (256)765-5122 or visit una.edu/music-theatre.