Symphonic Wind Ensemble
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About
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble offers an unparalleled experience in musicianship. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has flourished in central Illinois and beyond, performing at state and regional conventions and on tour in New York City and the Dominican Republic. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble generally presents two to three concerts per semester, including collaborations with other public school ensembles in Illinois.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has commissioned and premiered recent works by Garrett Gillingham and Daniel Morel and has participated in consortia with composers David Gillingham, Libby Larsen, John Mackey, David Maslanka, Scott Ninmer, Michael Schelle, Joseph Schwantner and John Stevens. Recent collaborations include works with student dancers and choreographers from the Millikin University School of Theatre and Dance and a variety of video production personnel.
2023–2024 Season
Saturday, September 23 7:30 p.m.: Strike Up the Band (with Jazz Band I)
Featuring Dr. David Moore, cornet
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Join us for a good old-fashioned band concert featuring music from the Golden Age of American concert bands and jazz bands. The music is sure to get your toes tapping with repertoire from John Phillip Sousa to Count Basie and will feature the virtuosic cornet playing of School of Music trumpet professor Dr. David Moore.
Monday, October 23 6 p.m.: Millikin Honor Band Festival Concert
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Select high school students from across the region come together to rehearse and study with Millikin faculty and conclude the event with a joint concert with the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble. For more information, see https://www.millikinhonorband.com/home.
Thursday, November 16 7 p.m.: On the Road
Featuring the Eisenhower High School Band (Jennifer Morrow, director)
Eisenhower High School (Decatur, IL)
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble hits the road as we begin our first tour in several years with music celebrating the open road and the joy of travel in collaboration with Eisenhower High School and their director Jennifer Morrow.
Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19: Symphonic Wind Ensemble tour
Locations throughout the Chicagoland area
Saturday, March 2 7:30 p.m.: We are the World
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble presents a concert featuring music with a global focus that speaks to the environment we share. Included will be the world premiere of Luminance by Shuying Li along with other works that bring a unique perspective to the concert stage.
Saturday, April 27 7:30 p.m.: Mixtape
Featuring Dr. Perry Rask, saxophone and the Monticello High School Band (Alison Allender, director)
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble presents a rousing concert of band music influenced by contemporary jazz, blues, pop, hip-hop, and more in a multimedia experience sure to capture the imagination. School of Music saxophone professor Dr. Perry Rask will be featured as the soloist on the Concerto for Saxophone by film composer Michael Kamen and the concert will include the award-winning Monticello High School Band with their director Alison Allender.
Watch and Listen
Audition Information
Membership in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble is open to all students playing woodwind, brass or percussion instruments, regardless of major.
Auditions take place at the start of the Fall semester. Auditions consist of prepared excerpts and sight reading.
Audition excerpts for Fall 2023 are available at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/tn8xwhyj8xeo81jzibdkx/h?rlkey=0f55su9s2jclcfyf8vn31cpsv&dl=0.
Questions? Contact Dr. Neal Smith, Director of Bands, at nsmith@millikin.edu.
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Ensembles
- Chamber Music
- Choirs
- Guitar Ensembles
- Instrumental Jazz
- Opera
- Orchestra
- Percussion Ensembles
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Vocal Jazz