The Savannah Wind Symphony presents Masterworks for Band!

The Savannah Wind Symphony begins its 2024-2025 season on November 3 at 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University with classic music literature under the baton of the newly appointed Artistic Director and Conductor, John Madden.

In the performing arts, a “masterwork” is considered to be among the most outstanding works of a creative person. In this case, the creators are the composers whose repertoire has been chosen to be performed in the Savannah Wind Symphony season opening, fall 2024 concert. These masterworks also might be considered “cornerstones” of band compositions, given to us during a crucial developmental period in the history of the band world, the early to mid-20th century. It is also important to note that each of these pieces has staying power and continues to be performed and enjoyed in 2024 by audiences all over the world.

The concert is built on the shoulders of the renowned British composer Gustav Holst and his First Suite in E flat for Military Band, composed in 1909. Today, we are 150 years past Holst’s birth year of 1874. Certainly, this is an anniversary of note. Band scholar Jacob Wallace notes that “this immortal work occupies a legendary position in the wind band repertory and can be seen, in retrospect, as one of the earliest examples of the modern wind band instrumentation still frequently performed today.” 

Beyond Holst, the concert will feature two other original band works and four important transcriptions, including one each from Brahms and Wagner. The concert opens with a classic original for the band from 1956, Fanfare and Allegro, by Clifton Williams. The concert will close with a transcription of Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s "The Pines of the Appian Way,” the 4th movement of his more extensive work, The Pines of Rome.

You don’t want to miss this! 

Tickets can be purchased at www.savannahwindsymphony.com or at the door using credit card or check.