CWU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band Concert

Central Washington University Bands invites the community to a spectacular musical celebration at the final concert of the 2024-2025 academic year, featuring performances by the CWU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Under the musical direction of Dr. T. André Feagin, Director of Bands, the concert will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Hertz Concert Hall, located within the McIntyre Music Building. Admission is free and open to the public. This dynamic concert will showcase an array of contemporary works for winds and percussion, offering audiences an evening of fresh sounds that still feel remarkably familiar. The program is thoughtfully curated to highlight lush harmonies, memorable melodies, and a deeply emotional musical experience for both performers and listeners. The concert will also feature Eric Mills, graduate student conductor, as guest conductor with the Symphonic Band. Composers on the program include Yosuke Fukuda, Frank Ticheli, Florence Price, Jacques Press, and Andrew David Perkins. A special highlight of the evening is the collaboration with distinguished composer Dr. Nicole Piunno, who will serve as composer-in-residence with the CWU Bands. Over the course of the evening, four of Dr. Piunno’s works will be presented between the two ensembles, including her major new work, Sunflower Studies: Symphony for Wind Ensemble. Dr. Piunno will work closely with the ensembles leading up to the performance and will be on location to offer insight into her music and the creative process behind these exciting compositions. About the Composer: Nicole Piunno is an acclaimed composer whose work invites listeners to experience the full spectrum of life’s complexities. Her music explores the intersections of light and dark, chaos and order, beauty and brokenness, weaving these contrasts together through rich harmonic language and intricate counterpoint. Dr. Piunno holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition and a Master of Music degree in Theory Pedagogy from Michigan State University, where she studied with Ricardo Lorenz. She also earned a Master of Music degree in Composition from Central Michigan University under the guidance of David Gillingham, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with an emphasis on instrumental music. Her works have been performed by ensembles such as “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the United States Coast Guard Band, and at prestigious events including regional CBDNA conferences, the Midwest Clinic, and numerous all-state concerts nationwide. The CWU Bands are thrilled to present an evening that promises not only remarkable performances but also a celebration of musical collaboration, artistry, and community. This is an event you do not want to miss.