ASU Wind Bands 2024–25 season features premieres, collaborations, guest artists
Arizona State University Wind Symphony students. Photo courtesy of the School of Music
The Arizona State University Wind Bands 2024–25 concert season is filled with world premieres, guest conductors, guest artists and exciting collaborations.
“ASU Wind Bands has planned a season that includes something for everyone, from world premieres to recording sessions, incredible guest artists and performances at both ASU Gammage and the Scottsdale Center for the Arts,” said Jason Caslor, director of bands and associate professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. “I am excited about the experiences we have in place for our incredible students and our loyal audience members.”
ASU Wind Bands is home to over 250 students and includes the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Maroon and Gold Band, and Chamber Winds.
“These various groups allow us to challenge our most advanced graduate students while also ensuring there is space for non-majors wanting to keep playing beyond high school, as well as community members,” Caslor said. “Our ensemble members range from music performance majors to retired professors to students studying everything from graphic design to mechanical engineering to Earth and space exploration.”
This season welcomes the ASU Youth Wind Ensemble to the ASU Wind Bands family. Comprised of outstanding Arizona high school instrumentalists in grades nine through 12, these talented musicians will rehearse and perform on campus as well as receive guidance from ASU's outstanding faculty and graduate students.
ASU Wind Bands kicks off the season Sept. 25 with John Mackey’s Odysseus-inspired “Wine-Dark Sea,” Gordon Jacob’s “William Byrd Suite” and more. The Oct. 3 concert features a collaboration with the Maroon and Gold Band and the ASU Philharmonia. The bands are back onstage Oct. 30 with “Inspiration” as they welcome to the podium guest conductors Erin Cole Steele, clinical assistant professor of music learning and teaching, and Grant Knox, graduate conducting student.
In celebration of ASU Gammage’s 60th anniversary, the Nov. 20 concert presents an evening of music that pays tribute to music from the 1964 College Band Directors National Association National Conference — held at the then-called Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium — and to architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s love of music.
The final fall concert on Nov. 26, “Sonic Dances,” presents the Maroon and Gold Band and ASU Philharmonia as they showcase students’ talent and passion for music with an array of styles.
The spring concert season begins on Feb. 6, 2025, with an evening of stunning video and music by the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony. The Wind Symphony welcomes guest conductor Joyce McCall, associate professor of music learning and teaching, while the Wind Ensemble presents Julie Giroux’s stunning “Blue Marble.”
ASU’s Maroon and Gold Band presents a concert filled with dynamic music and spirited camaraderie on Feb. 25 with conductor James G. Hudson ("Hud"), director of ASU athletic bands.
The Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony welcome to the stage guest soloist Bich-Van Nguyen, guest conductor Vu Nguyen and graduate conductor Joel Thiesfeldt at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on March 6.
Graduate student and 2024 Concerto Competition winner John Burton takes center stage with the Wind Ensemble on April 9 for a performance of Oscar Navarro’s “Clarinet Concerto No. 2,” while the Wind Symphony and Maroon and Gold Band close the season on April 22 with music by Marie A. Douglas, Steven Bryant and Omar Thomas.
“I am excited to delve into new realms with the Wind Symphony,” said Jamal Duncan, associate director of bands and assistant professor. “From hip-hop and rap to Afro Cuban, there will be something for everyone in this season.”
Tickets to ASU Gammage concerts are available at the ASU Gammage box office or via Ticketmaster. Tickets to the March 6 concert will be available at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts box office.
ASU Wind Bands 2024–25 Season
Wednesday, Sept. 25
ASU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Thursday, Oct. 3
ASU Maroon & Gold Band and Philharmonia
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Wednesday, Oct. 30
ASU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Wednesday, Nov. 20
ASU Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Youth Wind Ensemble
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Tuesday, Nov. 26
ASU Maroon and Gold Band and Philharmonia
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Thursday, Feb. 6
ASU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Tuesday, Feb. 25
ASU Maroon and Gold Band
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Thursday, March 6
ASU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
7:30 p.m., Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, April 9
ASU Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony and Youth Wind Ensemble
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Tuesday, April 22
Maroon and Gold Band and ASU Wind Symphony
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage
Friday, April 25
ASU Wind Ensemble
7:30 p.m., Katzin Concert Hall
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