Tarleton Invitational Band Festival features visiting composer Steven Bryant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, February 17, 2020

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University Bands host the 10th annual Tarleton Invitational Band Festival Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Stephenville.

This two-day event features performances by 13 visiting high school and junior high bands and a showcase performance by the Tarleton Symphonic Band and the Tarleton Wind Ensemble. All participating bands will work with visiting guest composer Steven Bryant.

The festival highlight is a showcase concert — a joint performance by the Tarleton Symphonic Band, conducted by Dr. Gary Westbrook, and the Tarleton Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. David Robinson — at 7:30 p.m., Thursday.

Admission for the showcase concert is $5 or free for festival participants or Tarleton ID holders.  The Tarleton Wind Ensemble will deliver a co-world premiere of Steven Bryant’s “The Automatic Earth” for wind ensemble and electronic sounds at this performance.

Bryant is a native of Arkansas and holds composition degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and the University of North Texas. His music has been performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and nearly every major military and university band in the country.

He is recipient of the 2014 American Bandmasters Association/Sousa/Ostwald Award for his concerto for alto saxophone. He writes for both young and mature musicians and makes ample use of electronics and technology in his music.

The Wind Ensemble will also feature Dr. Carolyn Keyes as guest soloist on “Poem” by Charles Griffes. Keyes currently serves as instructor of flute at Tarleton. She coordinates the flute studio, directs the Tarleton Flute Choir, and teaches courses in music history and instrumental pedagogy.  She holds degrees from Bowling Green State University, the University of North Texas and the University of Colorado.

For more information about the Tarleton Invitational Band Festival, contact Dr. David Robinson, director of bands, at 254-459-5326, or visit the Tarleton Bands online at www.tarleton.edu/band.

Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.

Contact: Phil Riddle
817-484-4415
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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Tags: Community Events, Performing & Fine Arts