FAMU Wind Symphony has been invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2016.
NEW YORK, New York -- It’s official. Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Wind Symphony makes history Sunday becoming the first classical ensemble from a historically Black college or university (HBCU) to perform at Carnegie Hall and is on its way to the Kennedy Center in 2016.
The ensemble performed to a mostly full house Sunday at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Shelby Chipman, associate professor and director of symphonic bands at FAMU.
“This is an opportunity for us to perform on a main stage that’s incomparable to any stage in the world,” Chipman said. “The students have been working very diligently the last couple of months.
Performing a 40-minute set featuring five pieces, the nearly 60-member wind symphony played Donald Hunberger’s arrangement of John Williams' "Star Wars Trilogy," the powerful composition "Cloudburst" and Bob Lowden’s rousing "Dixieland Jam" which featured several soloists in the band and audience participation.
A highlight of the concert was the wind symphony’s finale, David Maslanka’s "Symphony No. 7, Mvt. III." To prepare for the performance, Maslanka Skyped in during rehearsals to help the band with the intricate piece.
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