The Eastern Mennonite University Wind Ensemble will present a concert 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in Lehman Auditorium.
The 32-member group, conducted by James W. (Jim) Warner, will perform “Brook Green Suite,” a 1933 composition by Gustav Holst that includes the use of a folk melody. The suite exhibits Holst’s melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and stylistic maturity at their highest level.
The ensemble will also perform “The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron” by David R. Holsinger, based on a story of King David in I Chronicles 12:23-28; and “To a Wild Rose,” by American composter Edward MacDowell (1860-1908).
Also on the program will be “In the Temple of Zion,” a contemporary work by Steven Reineke inspired by a visit to Zion National Park in Utah; “When the Morning Stars Sang” by James Curnow, inspired by the biblical story of Job; and “As All the Heavens Were a Bell” by Jay Bocook, a tribute to the firefighters of New York city for their heroic efforts surrounding Sept. 11, 2001; and “Lead On, O King Eternal,” a setting by James Swearingen.
Ensemble members are equally divided between EMU students and the local community.
Warner, who also directs the EMU Jazz ensemble, taught in public schools for 34 years in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, with most of this time as director of bands at Harrisonburg High School. He retired from HHS in July, 2005.
Admission to the concert is free.