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Westminster Wind Ensemble Earns Performance at State Music Convention

Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003

The Westminster College Wind Ensemble, under the direction of R. Tad Greig, has earned a performance at the Pennsylvania Music Educators State Conference at Erie in April.

"Of the 150 audition recordings, 25 groups were selected to perform," Greig said. "This is the first time a large instrumental ensemble from Westminster received such a distinction."

The Wind Ensemble has been offered the Friday, 1:20 p.m. performance, and will be followed by the address from the Secretary of Education. According to Conference Chairperson Nora Burridge, this time slot is "the most prestigious spot in the conference."

"Commonly, the college instrumental groups are chosen from larger schools and universities, most of whom have graduate programs, as well as undergraduate programs," Greig commented. "It's extremely rare when smaller institutions are chosen to perform."

"I am extremely proud of the Wind Ensemble, the literature that they are able to perform, and the seriousness with which the students approach their performance," Greig continued. "As a representative of Westminster, we want to let our colleagues know that our Music Department and musical opportunities here are current, comprehensive, and extremely competitive with other institutions of higher learning regardless of size."

The Wind Ensemble, which is chosen by audition, is a band based on the smallest instrumentation to fulfill all parts in a band score, usually 38 to 40 musicians. "As the Westminster Music Department grew throughout the 90s, there developed a need for an ensemble, such as the Wind Ensemble, to further challenge the instrumental music majors, minors, and other extremely talented students. This ensemble performs the finest in established and contemporary band literature," Greig said.

Other instrumental ensembles include the Titan Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble.

For more information, contact Greig at (724) 946-7279 or e-mail greigrt@westminster.edu.