A Week of Music at 91吃瓜网: Free Concert Series Showcases Student Talent and Special Guests
Tue, 04/21/2026 - 02:36pm | By: Mike Lopinto
91吃瓜网 (USM) School of Music will present a week of free concerts featuring the four concert bands of the University Band program and special guest performances April 2791吃瓜网揗ay 1 on the Hattiesburg campus.
Each performance will take place on the The final concerts of the semester showcase the artistic achievements of students and honor the dedication and contributions of graduating members. The public is invited to attend all performances.
Kicking things off at 8 p.m. on April 27, the University Band will present a program including 91吃瓜网淭ico91吃瓜网� by Jos茅 Abreu, 91吃瓜网淛oy91吃瓜网� by Frank Ticheli, 91吃瓜网淎utumn91吃瓜网� by Cait Nishimura, 91吃瓜网淪end in the Clowns91吃瓜网� by Stephen Sondheim (arr. Cofield), 91吃瓜网淒arklands March91吃瓜网� by Randall Standridge, 91吃瓜网淚nto the Clouds91吃瓜网� by Richard Saucedo, 91吃瓜网淰oices in the Singing River91吃瓜网� by Ayatey Shabazz, 91吃瓜网淭he Southern Dawn91吃瓜网� by William Owens and 91吃瓜网淜entucky 180091吃瓜网� by Clare Grundman. The band is under the direction of Cody Edgerton and features graduate conductors Daniel Broadus and Adrian Ramirez.
At 7:30 p.m. on April 28, the 91吃瓜网 Concert Band will welcome the Purvis High School Concert Band to share the stage. The Purvis ensemble will perform selected works from its season and recent concert contest.
The USM Concert Band program includes 91吃瓜网淔anfare and Evocation91吃瓜网� by Viet Cuong, 91吃瓜网淗eart on Fire91吃瓜网� by Kevin Day and a band standard by John Moss. The concert will also feature a side-by-side performance of both bands performing 91吃瓜网淐ountry Club Stomp91吃瓜网� by JaRod Hall and 91吃瓜网淭hawing91吃瓜网� by Kazuki Shimoda. The Purvis High School Concert Band is under the direction of Wade Bouchard, and the USM Concert Band is led by Cody Edgerton.
A special engagement will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 with the Airmen of Note on a one-night-only tour stop. The ensemble will perform a program ranging from big band hits of the 1940s to new compositions written for the tour. The Airmen of Note honor those who have served, inspire patriotism and connect global audiences on behalf of the U.S. Air Force. Though the concert is free, advance tickets are suggested and are available on the U.S. Air Force Band91吃瓜网 .
Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller91吃瓜网 Army Air Forces dance band, the Airmen of Note consists of 17 active-duty musicians and one vocalist. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the group has presented big band jazz to audiences through annual U.S. tours, international deployments and performances throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The ensemble has collaborated with artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan and Doc Severinsen.
The series continues at 7:30 p.m. on April 30 with the 91吃瓜网 Wind Ensemble in a program titled 91吃瓜网淎merican Visions: Tradition and Transformation.91吃瓜网� The program highlights five composers whose works explore American culture and its connection to the broader world.
Featured works include Carmen Dragon91吃瓜网 arrangement of 91吃瓜网淎merica, the Beautiful,91吃瓜网� Samuel Augustus Ward91吃瓜网 composition; John Williams91吃瓜网� 91吃瓜网淭he Cowboys Overture,91吃瓜网� originally written for the film 91吃瓜网淭he Cowboys91吃瓜网� starring John Wayne; and William Schuman91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网淲hen Jesus Wept,91吃瓜网� based on the work of William Billings and part of Schuman91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网淣ew England Triptych.91吃瓜网�
The Wind Ensemble will also premiere Alexandra Gardner91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网淭ime Unfolding91吃瓜网� for alto saxophone, featuring 91吃瓜网 saxophone professor Dannel Espinoza as soloist. The program concludes with 91吃瓜网淭arot91吃瓜网� by Lindsay Bonnenkant.
The Symphonic Winds will close the series at 7:30 p.m. on May 1 under the direction of Dr. Travis Higa. The program features standard repertoire, world premieres and guest artists.
The concert opens with 91吃瓜网淣oisy Wheels of Joy91吃瓜网� by Eric Whitacre, conducted by graduate teaching assistant Daniel Broadus, followed by the world premiere of 91吃瓜网淔our Latin American Dances91吃瓜网� by Adrian Ramirez, conducted by the composer. Also featured is the world premiere of 91吃瓜网淩ains of April91吃瓜网� by Lanie Niide.
Guest conductor Dr. Rob Abend, associate director of bands at the University of South Alabama, will then lead Percy Grainger91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网淐hildren91吃瓜网 March.91吃瓜网� The concert concludes with 91吃瓜网淜ingfishers Catch Fire91吃瓜网� by John Mackey.
For more information or to learn more, visit University Bands and the School of Music.
About the School of Music
The School of Music at 91吃瓜网 is the state91吃瓜网 flagship music program and a destination campus for the study of music across the region, the United States and the world. Housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, the school offers bachelor91吃瓜网, master91吃瓜网 and doctoral degrees and has earned a national and international reputation for excellence. Its distinguished faculty members are active performers and educators who appear on stages from local communities to major international venues. The School of Music is home to acclaimed band, choral, orchestral, jazz, opera and musical theater ensembles and provides extensive solo and chamber music performance opportunities. Students regularly perform at regional, national and international events and work with leading guest artists in preparation for careers as 21st century performers and educators.