Concordia University wind ensemble to perform at local churches in early March

The Concordia University-Nebraska Wind Ensemble, a select 40-member concert band, will be touring March 1-10, with stops in Illinois, Indiana and Kansas. It is led by director Andrew Schultz.

The first local concert will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Zion Lutheran Church, 412 Jackson St. in Marengo. For information, visitwww.zionmarengo.net.

It will be followed by a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, March 8, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 720 Dundee Ave. in Barrington. For details, call (847) 382-7002 or visit stmatthewbarrington.org.

The University Wind Ensemble is chosen from the more than 80 musician University Symphonic Band which was formed in 1906. It is the oldest continuing musical organization at Concordia.

"The Wind Ensemble has gained a reputation for engaging and entertaining performances of outstanding sacred and traditional concert band literature," said Andrew Schultz, director of the ensemble. "Throughout the long history of the band program at Concordia, the concert bands have toured extensively throughout the U.S. The primary goal of these tours is to serve as an ambassador for Concordia University, Nebraska by sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through music."

The ensemble performs concerts at churches and high schools in six cities on their 10-day tour.

This year's tour program features David Holsinger's monumental work, "In the Spring at the Time When Kings Go Off to War," depicting King David's army in their struggle against the Ammonites in I Chronicles 20:1-3. The program also features Percy Grainger's spirited setting of the folk dance tune "Shepherd's Hey," a simple, yet inspiring setting of "Agnus Dei," and the stirring march "El Capitan" by John Philip Sousa. Music by Gabriel Faure, Luther Henderson, Michael Giacchino, and Reinhold Gliere complete the concert program.

All of the concerts are free and open to the public. To learn more about the ensemble, visit www.cune.edu.