Loyola University Launches Inaugural Big Easy Band Fest
High School Musicians from Across Louisiana Take the Spotlight as Members of the Bourgeois Honor Bands
More than120of the top high school concert band members from across the state will perform this weekend at the first-ever Big Easy Band Fest at LoyolaUniversity.
The two-day event takes place Nov. 8-9, with a FinaléConcert consisting of the long-running Bourgeois Honor Bands on Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, in theCommunications/Music Complex at Loyola. The performance is free and open to the public.
The students will perform masterpieces from the band repertoire, led by Associate Professor Alan Mills, Loyola’s Conductor and Coordinator of Bands, andCol. John R. Bourgeois, former conductor of “The President’s Own” UnitedStates Marine Band, a visiting professor at Loyola and a Loyola alumnus.
The FinaléConcertwill open withBourgeois conductinga tribute to the United States Marine Corps, which is celebrating its 250thanniversaryon Nov. 10.
The University Wind Ensemble then will deliver the United States premierperformance of anew piece of music that Kevin Poelking, an American composer, wrote for the NationalAcademic Symphonic Band of Ukraine.
Loyola’s School of Music and Theatre Professions contributed to a consortium to fund the creation of the piece, called “Sounds, Voices, and Dreams from Ukraine,”Mills said. Poelking will be inattendance at the concert and will introduce the 18-minute symphony, he said.
On Nov. 8,the participating high schoolstudents, who were nominated to participate, will gather at Loyolato begin rehearsals as members of two Bourgeois honor bands.The day will conclude with the opening concert, featuring Loyola students and faculty members,Mills said.
The following morning, those in attendance will enjoy a “Band Directors’ BandConcert,” consisting of band directors from the25 participatinghigh schoolsand area music teachers, he said. After the lunch break,the Loyola University JazzEnsemble, under the direction of Loyola Coordinator of Jazz Studies Gordon Towell,willperformat the festival.
The students also will take part insmall-group instrumental rehearsals,andattend a masterclass withLoyola faculty members and studentsoneach of the various ensembleinstruments, Mills said.
“I think what we’re about to do is asignificant event,” he said, noting the changes toprevious Bourgeois Honor Band events, which consisted of a single-day, honor band-only performance, withjustone-third the number ofhigh schoolstudents in attendance. “I’m really hoping this grows into a regional, bigger-reachingevent that provides opportunities for more high schoolstudents.”
Those wishing to attend the FinaléConcert should request tickets to secure a seat.Please visit thisto RSVP.
Ƶ the College of Music and Media
The College of Music and Media is comprised of two schools — the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the School of Communication and Design. Students who choose to study in the college prepare for careers in music, theatre, music industry, design, fine art, filmmaking, strategy, mass media and more.