On Sunday, March 21, 3 p.m., at the Capitol Theater in downtown Wheeling, the WLU Wind Ensemble will present a concert of works by French Romantic masters Hector Berlioz and Camille Saint-Saens. Berlioz’s enormous symphonic work for winds and percussion, Grand Funeral and Triumphant Symphony, will feature Patrick Garrett, esteemed Director of Bands at Wheeling Park High School, as the trombone soloist. Modern British composer Martin Ellerby celebrates his favorite “Continental” city in Paris Sketches. As has been the tradition this year, the ensemble will also program a relatively obscure work by John Philip Sousa, The King of France March; a work full of humor that quotes the famous nursery rhyme.
The Wind Ensemble, WLU’s elite instrumental ensemble, will also be joined by guests from Ritchie County High School, under the direction of Dr. Scott Tignor (also a WLU Adjunct Instructor). The Ritchie County HS Band will perform several works on their own and join forces with the WLU Wind Ensemble for a combined work Cajun Folksongs. This work celebrates the musical traditions of America’s only remaining pocket of French-speaking citizens.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or through Ticketmaster ($5/$3).