The Sunderman Conservatory Wind Symphony will perform Masterworks and Premieres this Friday, April 10, at Gettysburg’s historic Majestic Theater. Tickets are $5 for adults; children under 18 are admitted free.
The program spans continents, centuries, and artistic visions. From the folksingers of rural England to the mythological depths of ancient Greece, from a pioneering American composer’s sacred meditation to a monster’s rampage through Las Vegas, the concert celebrates both the wind band’s rich heritage and its boundless creative future.
Conductor Dr. Russell McCutcheon said, “We are so excited to share this music with everyone in our community. This is a challenging program for the musicians, and their dedication to preparation is evident in their musical achievement.”
The evening opens with Adam Gorb’s Bells Across the Atlantic, composed in 2012 as part of a commissioning consortium led by McCutcheon and the Sunderman Conservatory Wind Symphony. The work pays tribute to the transatlantic exchange of wind band music, celebrating connections between British composers and American ensembles.
Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy follows, widely considered his masterwork for wind band and a cornerstone of the repertoire. The 1937 composition presents six “musical wildflowers,” drawn from folk songs Grainger collected in Lincolnshire, England, in 1905–1906. Each movement reflects not only the song itself but also the personality and style of the individual singer.
Florence B. Price’s lyrical Adoration highlights the artistry of the pioneering African American composer. Originally written for organ in 1951, the piece is presented in Cheldon Williams’ 2022 transcription for winds. Price was the first Black woman to have her music performed by a major American orchestra.
The program also features the consortium premiere of Paul Richards’ Triton’s Trumpet, commissioned by McCutcheon and 16 colleagues in honor of their teacher and mentor, David Waybright of the University of Florida. The work draws on Greek mythology, following Triton, son of Poseidon, through a series of dramatic episodes.
The concert concludes with Eric Whitacre’s Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!, a theatrical and humorous piece featuring a tongue-in-cheek script, musical surprises, and styles ranging from mambo to lounge music.
From celebratory to solemn, and from folk traditions to jazz and pop influences, the program offers something for every listener.