LANSING, Mich. — MSU Music embraces a week of choir, band and orchestra ensemble performances highlighted by a special program honoring “Cancer Blows,” presented by the MSU Wind Symphony. Concerts will take place in the Fairchild Theatre of the MSU Auditorium and Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall October 20-25.
Cancer Blows originated as a one-concert idea hatched by Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Trumpet player Ryan Anthony after his diagnosis of terminal cancer in November 2012. A single benefit concert to raise awareness and raise money for organizations that helped Anthony through his heroic battle and treatment has grown into a nationwide movement. Major concerts featuring guests like Doc Severinsen, Wycliffe Gordon, and Canadian Brass have led to the creation of a foundation and over one million dollars raised for cancer research.
The MSU Wind Symphony recognizes how many lives are touched by cancer diagnoses and decided to feature music created in Anthony’s honor and others. The works to be performed by the symphony include “Renaissance of Wonder,” commissioned by Anthony and composed by his friend Peter Meechan, who was inspired by Anthony’s journey. Meechan is a British composer based in Canada, and his work for brass can be heard live all around the world and on countless commercial recordings. Meechan will be in attendance as guest composer at the Wind Symphony concert on October 24. Also performing will be guest conductor Jason Noble who leads the Columbia University Wind Ensemble and is also a cancer survivor.
“It's good to let the students know that music doesn't just have to be about the concert stage,” said MSU Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Chair of the Conducting Area Kevin Sedatole. “The power of music can inspire and heal.”
The full week of band and orchestra ensemble performances includes:
10/20 Sunday 7:00 p.m.
State Singers and University Chorale
Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium
David Rayl and Jonathan Reed, conductors
10/22 Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Symphony Band
Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center
David Thornton, conductor
- Pann – Serenade for Winds
- Sousa – Bullets and Bayonets
- Arnold – Tam o‘Shanter
- Van Zandt Lane – Astrarium
- Giroux – Riften Wed
10/24 Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Wind Symphony
Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center
Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor
Jason Noble, guest conductor
Peter Meechan, guest composer
Justin Emerich, trumpet
- Tian – Seeker’s Scherzo
- Meechan – Renaissance of Wonder, Song of Hope
- Fillmore – Rolling Thunder
- Giroux – Always
- Giroux – “Wind” from Symphony No. 5
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