OXFORD,
Miss. – A patriotic atmosphere and great country music are expected at
the University of Mississippi Tuesday (March 17) during a performance
by the U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band at the Gertrude C. Ford
Center for the Performing Arts.
The 45-member band, with its
Stellar Brass and Wild Blue Country ensembles, is slated to perform an
evening of country music plus Americana pieces, a jazz number and more
during its 8 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day concert.
The program is free
to the public but tickets are required and can be obtained by visiting
the UM Box Office in the Ole Miss Student Union from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday. Tickets are also available by mailing a
self-addressed, stamped envelope to UM Box Office, 301-B Student Union,
University, MS 38677. There is a limit of four tickets per request.
Norm
Easterbook, Ford Center director, said the audience can expect “an
enjoyable show that celebrates American music traditions.”
The performing group, the largest of 11 units in the Academy Band, features 45 active-duty Air Force music professionals who bring a wealth of educational and professional experience to each performance. The Concert Band maintains a rigorous national performance schedule in support of cadet and Air Force troop morale, recruiting and community outreach. The band often performs for radio and television programs, and presents educational performances and clinics at national and international music conferences.
The five-member Wild Blue Country ensemble, also associated with the academy band program, has appeared with Charlie Daniels, Reba McEntire and other country artists.
Described by the International Trumpet Guild as “an ensemble full of variety, panache and virtuosity,” the six-member Stellar Brass combines percussion instruments with a traditional brass quintet, resulting in an original and innovative musical ensemble performing a broad range of eclectic, musical styles. These styles include music from the Renaissance period, American folk songs and dances, Latin styles, orchestral transcriptions and Dixieland.
Besides the Ford Center concert, the Stellar Brass ensemble plans to entertain residents of the Veterans Home in Oxford at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
For a complete list of concerts at the Ford Center, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/fordcenter/ . For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7411.