NDSU Wind Symphony to join JHS Wind Ensemble in concert

North Dakota State University’s (NDSU) Wind Symphony will join with the Alexandria Jefferson High School Wind Ensemble in a concert on Thursday, March 8 at Discovery Middle School in Alexandria.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium; admission is free.

Led by Warren Olfert, director of bands at NDSU, the Wind Symphony will feature a wide variety of band music from the heritage of the march to new and exciting contemporary compositions, including the music of Percy Grainger, David Gillingham, John Williams, Hector Berlioz, Norman Dello Joio and Scott McAllister.

Also featured in the concert will be NDSU director of athletic bands, Sigurd Johnson.

The Alexandria Wind Ensemble is directed by Todd Blaser and will feature works by composers Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Camille Saint Saens and Aram Khachaturian.

Composed of a select group of 46 students, the NDSU Wind Symphony traces its roots back to 1904, when it began as a military band in the university’s ROTC program. The band acquired “Gold Star” designation from the many superior ratings earned during annual ROTC federal inspections.

Over the years the band has developed a rich tradition of excellence both as concert and marching band.

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