The Westminster College Wind Ensemble will present its spring concert, “Optimism,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, in the Will W. Orr Auditorium on the College’s campus.

As part of Westminster’s Music With Friends collaborative series, the concert will also feature selections performed by the Wilmington High School Band.

“This collaboration began in 2017, when the Wilmington High School Band first joined the Wind Ensemble in Orr Auditorium,” said Dr. Aaron Himes, Wind Ensemble conductor. “I’m excited to continue this tradition and once again share the stage with these outstanding student musicians and members of our community.”

The Westminster Wind Ensemble will perform Overture to “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein and transcribed by Clare Grundman, “Acrostic Song” from Final Alice by David Del Tredici and arranged by Mark Spede, and Steampunk Suite by Erika Svanoe.

The Wilmington High School Band, conducted by Jonathan Nickel ’09, will perform Overture Jubiloso by Frank Erickson, New Mexico March by John Philip Sousa, Ammerland by Jacob de Haan and Arabian Dances by Brian Balmages.

Both ensembles will combine for a final performance of Infinity by Katahj Copley.

Himes, who joined the Westminster faculty in 2024, is assistant professor of music, director of bands and coordinator of music education. He holds a doctorate in music education from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, a master’s degree in tuba performance from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Susquehanna University.

Nickel, a Pittsburgh native, earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Westminster in 2009.

The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Himes at 724-946-7279 or himesad@westminster.edu.

Student Musicians Performing:

Beaver, PA
Shannon Witkouski, a senior music education and music performance major and a graduate of Beaver Area High School, on percussion.

Bradford, PA
Timothy Mulcahy, a senior music and music education major and a graduate of Bradford Area High School, on trombone.

Canonsburg, PA
Ava Konton, a senior psychology major and a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, on clarinet.

Clairton, PA
Ryan Lucas, a sophomore music education and music with a track in business major and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, on tuba.

Conneaut Lake, PA
Karissa Petruso, a junior music education major and a graduate of Meadville Area High School, on trumpet.

Crafton, PA
Benjamin Burke, a senior music education and music performance major and a graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, on trombone.

Crescent, PA
Grace Snyder, a first-year music education major and a graduate of Moon Area High School, on flute.

Hadley, PA
Laci Marstellar, a junior music education and music performance major and a graduate of Commodore Perry High School, on trumpet.

Kittanning, PA
Gabriel Nanney, a junior mathematics major and a graduate of Armstrong Junior Senior High School, on euphonium.

Latrobe, PA
Leo Hoopes, a first-year music education and marketing and professional sales double major and a graduate of Greater Latrobe High School, on percussion.

Madison Sloan, a first-year education major and a graduate of Greater Latrobe High School, on flute.

Autumn Stemmler, a senior music education major and a graduate of Greater Latrobe High School, on horn.

Monaca, PA
Jacob Weber, a junior music education and music composition major and a graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, on alto saxophone.

New Brighton, PA
D’Artagnan Whalen, a junior computer science major and a graduate of New Brighton Area Senior High School, on horn.

New Castle, PA
Evelyn Mong, a senior biology major and a graduate of Neshannock High School, on trombone.

Emily Shaffer, a first-year environmental science major and graduate of Neshannock High School, on horn.

Pittsburgh, PA
Jennifer Bakowski, a sophomore music education major and a graduate of Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School, on flute.

William Pry, a junior music major and a graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, on double bass.

Ryan Shaw, a senior music education major and a graduate of Montour High School, on percussion.

Springdale, PA
Ryan Bramson, a senior music education major and a graduate of Baldwin High School, on percussion.

Summerville, PA
Morgan Ross, a senior biology major and a graduate of Clarion-Limestone Area High School, on bass clarinet.

Venus, PA
Lauren McTiernan, a senior early childhood/special education major and a graduate of Cranberry Area High School, on percussion.

Enon, OH
Charlotte Grubbs, a sophomore music education major and a graduate of Greenon High School, on alto saxophone. 

Shelton, CT
Emily Codere, a senior mathematics major and a graduate of Shelton High School, on clarinet.

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By Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92
Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92 is the director of communication in Westminster College's Office of Marketing and Communication.

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