Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           985/549-2341/fax 985-549-2061
    Date: 4/17/02
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  97

Editors: Photos (Robinson, Stamp) accompany release   Please note local interest
SOUTHEASTERN WIND SYMPHONY TO PERFORM AT COLUMBIA THEATRE
     HAMMOND    Southeastern Louisiana University's acclaimed Wind Symphony will
present its first concert in the newly renovated Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts in
downtown Hammond at 7:30 on Thursday, May 2.  
     The free concert, entitled "Gavorkna!," will feature as guest artists soprano Emily
Truckenbrod, composer Jack Stamp, veteran band director Sheily Bell, and WDSU-TV news
anchor Norman Robinson. 
     Founded in 1999, the Wind Symphony includes Southeastern's best woodwind, brass,
and percussion students. It is conducted by Southeastern music professor Glen J. Hemberger.
     Hemberger said the concert will focus on music by Stamp, renowned as one of America's
foremost American composers. Stamp will join the Wind Symphony in conducting two of his
compositions, "Ricercare," and "Four Maryland Songs."
     "'Four Maryland Songs' is multi-movement work exploring poems found in the
collection 'Maryland in Prose and Poetry' and commissioned by the University of Maryland
bands," Hemberger said. The work will feature Truckenbrod, a member of the Southeastern
music faculty. Truckenbrod recently completed concert appearances with the Louisiana
Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Quad Cities Philharmonic in Iowa, and solo recitals in Honduras
and Austria.
     The Wind Symphony will also present two other works by Stamp, "Gavorkna Fanfare,"
and "Pastime."
     "'Pastime' was composed in 1999 as Stamps' special salute to baseball, and is based
around the anthem of the seventh inning stretch, 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game,'" Hemberger 
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WIND SYMPHONY   Add One
said.
     Stamp's visit to Southeastern will also include guest lectures to music appreciation 
classes, a composer's forum, and an appearance in the undergraduate conducting class.  Stamp
serves as director of Concert Ensembles at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
     Norman Robinson, news anchor for WDSU-TV in New Orleans, will join with the Wind
Symphony in presenting Aaron Copland's celebrated composition, "Lincoln Portrait." 
     "Composed as the United States was first drawn into World War II, the words of Lincoln
are interspersed with spirited, bold themes and melodies in a work that has truly entered the
American musical fabric," Hemberger said. 
     Robinson has been a New Orleans resident for 20 years, and has spent the last decade
anchoring the evening newscasts at WDSU. A graduate of the United States Naval School of
Music, he attended Holy Cross College and later received a Neiman Fellowship to Harvard
University.  Robinson plays euphonium and is a member of the board of directors for the New
Orleans Concert Band.
     Sheily Bell, director of bands at East Ascension High School, will conduct Eric
Whitacre's new work, "October."  
     "Vibrant instrumental colors and spectacular musical moments envelop this magnificent
work, which has received critical acclaim throughout the world since its premiere less than two
years ago," Hemberger said. Bell has been appointed director of bands at the new Dutchtown
High School in Gonzales, and is completing 20 years at East Ascension.
     David Gillingham's large-scale composition "And Can It Be?" was composed in 2000 in
memory of  the tragic events at Columbine High School.  The edgy and emotional work is
derived from the hymn, "And Can it Be?", authored by Charles Wesley to the music of Thomas
Campbell. Gillingham's composition emotionally captures both the dark horror of
the incident, and the poignant lyricism of reflection and hope.
     "Gavorkna!" is sponsored by the Southeastern College of Arts and Sciences, Department
of Music and Dramatic Arts, and Bravo Music Company.  Doors to the Columbia Theatre will
open at 6:45 pm.  For further information, contact the Southeastern band office at 985-549-2599.
                             -SLU-
Press release and photos also available online at www.selu.edu/news/spring02.html