Waynesburg University’s symphonic band hosted their mid-winter concert Wednesday, Feb. 16 in Roberts Chapel. 

“The symphonic band students really represented the music program here and the instrumental side of the music program very very well tonight,” said Dr. Ronda DePriest, director of the music program.

According to DePriest, the concert was a culmination of a two week period starting with Waynesburg’s 12th annual conducting symposium. The concert featured songs from the symposium, including “Down a Country Lane” by Aaron Copland and “Hail to the Spirit” by John Philip Sousa, as well as guest conductors who attended the symposium.

Among the special guest conductors was Samuel Hazo, a composer, conductor and lecturer from Pittsburgh. 

According to Hazo’s website, “He has composed for the professional, university and public school levels in addition to writing scores for television, radio and the stage … His compositions have been performed and recorded world-wide, including performances by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (national tour), the Birmingham Symphonic Winds (UK) and the Klavier Wind Project’s recordings with Eugene Migliaro Corporon.”

Students were excited to work with such a renowned local composer.

“It’s very exciting to be able to work with Sam Hazo as our conducting clinician as he has worked with several other bands, several other conducting universities and has such a high reputation,” said Hannah Jobes, president of the symphonic band.

DePriest expressed her own excitement. She said the experience of working with composers such as Hazo was “phenomenal.”

“I think our students learned quite a bit about composition technique and what the process and the method is for composition. And then to get to see the composer also conduct and realize the music from the page to sound and have it in front of an audience is just amazing.”

The symphonic band’s next appearance will be in the Spring Concert Saturday, April 9 in Roberts Chapel.