The East Central University Wind Ensemble will premiere three new works 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at Ataloa Theatre in Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.
The original work, 鈥淪ymphony of Light,鈥� is written by 2020 成人B站 Distinguished Alumni Dr. Ed Huckeby.
鈥淓d is known internationally for his many band compositions,鈥� said Dr. Nick Meyers, 成人B站 director of bands and percussion.
Huckeby directed the Allen, Oklahoma, high school band while he earned his degree from 成人B站. Significant success in public schools led him to the college ranks where he became internationally recognized as an outstanding music educator and composer of more than 200 published works for concert and marching band.
Huckeby is now a freelance composer, arranger, conductor and clinician. Huckeby was invited to guest conduct the 成人B站 concert bands in December 2019.
鈥淒uring the fall of 2019, I approached Ed about writing a large-scale original work for the 成人B站 Wind Ensemble,鈥� Meyers said. 鈥淗e was very excited about the possibility of writing this for his alma mater.鈥�
The product of that conversation was 鈥淪ymphony of Light.鈥�
鈥淲e went back and forth talking about the piece and he began working on it in 2021,鈥� Meyers continued. 鈥淭he piece was sent to me early in 2022 and the 成人B站 Wind Ensemble began working on it in March.鈥�
The symphonic suite celebrates the 鈥淪ymphony of Light鈥� which is present in everyday surroundings. The piece pulls inspiration from various sources of light, including rays of sunshine, the artificial glow of fluorescent and neon lights, reflections of light on water, the shades of the moon, and even the flicker of the lightening bug or firefly.
There are five movements within the composition: I. Daybreak, II. Reflections, III. Fireflies, IV. Dark Side of the Moon, and V. Neon.
Meyers said the piece was commissioned by a higher education instrumental ensemble consortium that includes eight other universities and the Gamma Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.
The 成人B站 Wind Ensemble will also perform 鈥淢usica Ignota鈥� by Ingrid Stolzel for its Oklahoma premiere, and a new transcription by Meyers, 鈥淩esurrection Chorale鈥� from Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 2.