SCSU Now

Air Force Band to play tonight

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Col. Dennis M. Layendecker will direct the U.S. Air Force Band and guest direct the the Windfest Symphony, a high school honor band sponsored by St. Cloud State University.

The United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants will perform 7 p.m. April 28 in Ritsche Auditorium.

The Washington, D.C.-based group is a 52-member symphonic wind ensemble that performs a broad musical repertoire including light classics, popular favorites and original works.

Admission is free, but tickets (maximum of 4 per party) must be obtained at Atwood Memorial Center Ticket Services or the St. Cloud Times newspaper office. Tickets and seating are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Singing Sergeants is the official 23-voice chorus of the U.S. Air Force. They also perform a broad repertoire, including opera, oratorio, folk songs, pop standards, and musical theatre and jazz, all with an emphasis on the choral music of America.

The event includes a pre-concert performance by the university’s high school honor band, the Windfest Symphony, which has 55 participants from 20 schools in Central Minnesota, the Twin Cities and Wisconsin.

St. Cloud State faculty members and area band directors provide master classes for the honor students, and St. Cloud State music students mentor them in side-by-side rehearsals and performances. This will be the second public performance of the group.

The Windfest Symphony will be guest-conducted by Col. Dennis M. Layendecker, for seven years commander and music director of the U.S. Air Force Band.

Visit www.windfestsymphony.org for more details on the high school honor band. Visit www.usafband.af.mil for additional information on the U.S. Air Force Band. 

- Marge Proell and Jeff Wood

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