The university’s Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band will bring its music to life in the upcoming spring concert March 5. 

Darin Olson, associate director of bands, said the groups have been rehearsing twice a week since the beginning of the semester and are dedicated to delivering an elevated performance. The ensembles will be showcasing and performing four pieces of music in total with a special performance with faculty guests.

“We spend hours upon hours rehearsing, refining and exploring these pieces of music,” Olson said. “The concert is the one time that we put it together as a living, breathing piece of music for the audience to experience.”

This is the first of two concerts for the semester, and the performance will highlight a wide variety of music, styles and genres with the intention of being shared with others, Olson said.

The Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band are audition-based ensemble classes through the Glauser School of Music. The classes collaborate to create a musical experience many people are not familiar with. 

“The collaborative music making, as a conductor, that’s the most fun part of the job,” Benjamin Lorenzo, director of bands, said. “It’s not just the performance but putting the pieces together and that experience and process of working with the students.”

The Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band concert will take place March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Cartwright Auditorium. The event is open to anyone in the community, and students can get in for free using their Arts Pass . 

Lorenzo said around 200-400 people attend the concert.

“They’re a lot of fun,” Lorenzo said. “Sometimes classical music concerts can be a little intimidating, but these are meant to not be. I would encourage anyone to come.”

Angie Robinette is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].