Stars, Stripes And Sousa

DANBURY — Guest conductor Keith Brion, of the New Sousa Band, will lead the Western Connecticut State University Wind Ensemble in an authentic recreation of a turn-of-the-century “Stars, Stripes and Sousa!” concert at 8 pm on Thursday, May 13. The concert will be in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall, 181 White Street.

Tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for senior citizens and students.

In addition to hosting Mr Brion as guest conductor, WestConn’s Wind Ensemble will also employ the talents of several guest performers for the “Stars, Stripes and Sousa!” concert. Virtuoso trumpet player Allan Dean, a professor at the Yale University School of Music, will perform with the WCSU Wind Ensemble. Several WestConn music department faculty members, including vocalist Dr Margaret Astrup and percussionist David Smith, will also add their abilities.

The evening’s program will feature Sousa’s compositions, as well as several works penned by Danbury native Charles Ives.

For those who want to complete the journey back in time, the WestConn Alumni Association and the music department will host a picnic-style dinner at 6 pm on May 13, prior to the performance. A $40 ticket will include the dinner and reserved seating at the concert. Reservations are required. For more information about this package, call the Alumni Association at 837-8298.

For more information about the concert call the WCSU music department at 837-8350, or call the Office of Public Relations at 837-8486.