Oct. 20, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michele Abba
805-756-2406; music@calpoly.edu
Annual Bandfest Concert to Feature Debut of
New Cal Poly Bands Director Nov. 20
Interim University President Robert Glidden Will Be Guest Conductor
SAN LUIS OBISPO - More than 200 collegiate musicians will perform at Cal Poly’s annual Bandfest. The show, titled “Garden of Dreams,” will be held in Sidney Harman Hall in the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20.
The concert will feature the Cal Poly Wind Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, and the “Pride of the Pacific” Mustang Marching Band in an evening of bold and powerful works for the modern wind band and the traditional stadium marching band.
The combined forces of the Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble will perform selections from Carl Orff’s blockbuster score “Carmina Burana.” Other highlights include David Maslanka’s epic masterpiece “A Child’s Garden of Dreams,” Keith Gates’ “Icarus and Daedalus,” and Samuel Adler’s ”A Little Night and Day Music.” The Mustang Marching Band will stage versions of some of its field shows and some fan favorites from the stands.
New Director of Bands Andy McMahan will conduct the first band concert of the season. He will lead the Wind Ensemble in Maslanka’s moving work relating the dreams of a young girl. Associate Director of Bands Christopher Woodruff will conduct the Wind Orchestra. The 145-member Mustang Marching Band will be conducted by students Jeffrey Brown and Erin Stearns.
And Cal Poly Interim President Robert Glidden will join the Wind Ensemble to conduct Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E flat” at the Nov. 20 event.
McMahan came to Cal Poly from CSU Stanislaus, where he directed the Wind Ensemble, taught courses in conducting and music education, and served as the coordinator of instrumental studies. Before arriving in California, McMahan spent time at the University of Minnesota, both as a teacher and as a doctoral student.
McMahan received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Western Carolina University, his master’s in instrumental conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his doctor of musical arts in conducting from the University of Minnesota. His previous teaching experiences included three years as a high school teacher in both parochial and public high schools in the metropolitan Milwaukee area.
Glidden came to Cal Poly after serving as president of Ohio University until his retirement in 2004. Previously he was at Florida State University for 15 years, as professor and dean of the School of Music and then as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
During his career, he has been a member of the faculties at Wright State University, Indiana University and the University of Oklahoma, and he was dean of music at Bowling Green State University. He also served for three years as executive director of the National Association of Schools of Music and National Association of Schools of Art in Washington. He earned his academic degrees – bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate, all in music – from the University of Iowa.
Bandfest is sponsored by Cal Poly’s Music Department, College of Liberal Arts, and Instructionally Related Activities program. Tickets are $16 and $19 for the public, $13 and $15 for seniors, and $8 and $11 students. They can be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket Office 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To order by phone, call SLO-ARTS (805-756-2787). Discounts are given to patrons who buy tickets to four or more Music Department season events.
For more information, call the Music Department at 805-756-2406.
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