Wind Symphony Concert Nov. 20 to Feature Two Premieres

Compositions by three contemporary composers, including two premieres, will be on the program of the Illinois State University Wind Symphony in a concert Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.  Composers Kim Archer, David Gillingham and David Maslanka are expected to be in attendance.

Admission is $6 for the general public, $5 for faculty-staff and $4 for students and senior citizens.

Conducted by Stephen Steele, director of bands, the Wind Symphony will begin with Symphony No. 3 by Archer, a new young composer who is on the music faculty at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  Her composition was commissioned by Gillingham for the Central Michigan University Wind Ensemble, which he directs.  Archer dedicated the piece to Maslanka, a friend and mentor to both her and Gillingham.

The ISU Wind Symphony will then perform the premiere of Gillingham's composition, "Summer of 2008," which will feature acclaimed euphonium soloist Jason Ham, a faculty member at Montclair State University in New Jersey. 

The concert will close with a premiere performance of Maslanka's Symphony No. 8.  The Wind Symphony has given premiere performances of several Maslanka compositions.

Archer teaches composition, music theory, analysis, counterpoint and 20th century music at SIU-Edwardsville.  She previously taught at Bowling Green State University, Western Carolina University and Southeast High School in Florida.  She holds a bachelor of music education degree from Florida State University, a master of music degree in composition from Syracuse University and a doctor of musical arts degree in composition from the University of Texas at Austin.  Archer's music has been performed throughout the United States, and she has received commissions from such organizations as the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, the International Center for New Music at Central Michigan University, the International Women's Brass Conference and the Southeast Horn Workshop.

Gillingham earned bachelor's and master's degrees in instrumental music education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the Ph.D. in music theory/composition from Michigan State University.   He has an international reputation for the works he has written for band and percussion, many of which are considered standards in the repertoire. He has received many awards and his works are regularly performed by nationally recognized ensembles.  He has been honored for his teaching, and recently the President's Research Investment Fund grant for his co-authorship of a proposal to establish an International Center for New Music at Central Michigan University.

Maslanka is no stranger to the band program at Illinois State.  The Wind Symphony has performed many Maslanka compositions, several of which have been composed for the ISU group.  The Wind Symphony has performed Maslanka's works on four Albany Records releases.  Born in New Bedford, Mass., Maslanka attended Oberlin College and spent a year at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.  He did graduate work in composition at Michigan State University.  Maslanka has served on the faculties of various universities and colleges and presently resides in Missoula, Mont.