“Where words fail, music speaks.” These famous words uttered by Hans Christen Andersen, best remembered for his literary fairy tales, speak volumes to the profound impact of music on our lives. It surrounds us, envelopes us – in our favorite Netflix show, in the local coffee shop, in our ears as we go about our daily tasks, and in the places we consider most sacred. Music transcends all the toxic rhetoric we hear on the news or on social media. It unifies. It reveals to us our common humanity. This is why, at WKU, we play music and teach music, and why we carry on the tradition of music making. We believe it is fundamental to our existence and should be shared with everyone.
The WKU Department of Music invites you to share in the great musical spirit that exists right here in Bowling Green. Our students and faculty are passionately devoted to the art of making music and every semester we offer a wide assortment of musical experiences for our local community. Bands, choirs, orchestras, jazz, percussion, chamber music, solo recitals, and musicals – come see, hear, and share the musical spirit of the WKU Department of Music!
Bands
The fall WKU Bands include the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Big Red Marching Band, and the WKU Campus Community Band. The Symphonic band is a concert ensemble made up of over 80 woodwind, brass, and percussionists. They perform contemporary original works, classical transcriptions, and traditional marches. You can hear the Big Red Marching Band, with over 220 student musicians, at all WKU football games, local parades, and, of course, during Homecoming Weekend (Nov. 11).
Symphonic Band: September 24, 4pm, Van Meter Auditorium
Symphonic Band: November 17, 7:30pm, First Baptist Church
PRISM Concert: January 26, 8pm, Van Meter Auditorium
Choirs
The WKU choirs include the Chorale, the Southern KY Choral Society, University Singers, Treble Choir and the student run a cappella groups the Treblemakers and the Redshirts. Through these multiple performance ensembles, students and audiences are treated to a broad collection of choral and vocal repertoire that includes classical masterworks, chamber settings, unique collaborations with instrumentalists, and pop/jazz arrangements. A highlight of the fall includes the annual Winterfest – a choral celebration of the spirit and warmth of the holiday season.
Chorale: September 24, 4pm, First Christian Church
WKU Choirs: October 22, 4pm, Van Meter Auditorium
Southern KY Choral Society: November 3, 7:30pm, Van Meter Auditorium
Winterfest: A Choral Celebration December 2, 8pm, Holy Spirit Catholic Church
WKU Symphony
The Symphony at WKU is a full orchestra that includes students, faculty, local professionals, and community members. The Symphony prides itself on continuing the 400-year history of the great music masters while also promoting unique collaborations with guest artists, the WKU Choirs, and dancers from the WKU Department of Theatre and Dance.
September 22, 7:30pm Van Meter Auditorium
October 27, 7:30pm, Van Meter Auditorium
Holiday on the Hill, December 1, 7:30pm, Van Meter Auditorium
WKU Jazz Band
Swing, backbeats, and improvisation – Jazz is alive in Bowling Green with the WKU Jazz Band. This ensemble is a traditional big band that features a full rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drums) and a 15-piece horn section (saxes, trumpets and trombones). Students learn and demonstrate the art of improvisation, grooving with a rhythm section, and how to interact with each other in this unique 20th century musical art form.
October 13, 11:30am, Fine Arts Center Colonnade
November 9, 7:30pm, Capitol Theater
The WKU Department of Music strives to develop and present outstanding musical artistry through a wide assortment of diversified musical experiences – engaging students and audiences in music that spans a wide spectrum of styles, instruments, time periods, collaborations, and creative expression. I hope you will join us for one, or many, of our Fall 2016 events… I guarantee you will come back for more!
All events are open to the public – please contact the WKU Department of Music for specific details about individual events at 270-745-3751 or visit www.wku.edu/music.
-submitted by WKU Department of Music
