UAF Wind Symphony Invited to National Festival in Washington, D. C.

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
12/17/02

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Wind Symphony has been invited to represent Alaska in the National Festival of the States in Washington D.C.

This concert series selects one ensemble by audition from each of the fifty states to perform in our nation’s capitol each year. As Alaska’s representative, the UAF Wind Symphony will perform concerts in such places as the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, the Fairfax community for high ranking retired military officers, the Duke Ellington High School for the Performing Arts and the Jefferson Memorial.

Each venue gives the band a diverse audience representing every part of our nation. In addition to performance opportunities, the band will attend a clinic by Arnold Gabriel retired conductor of the US Marine Band (The President’s Own).

Several students and their teachers are already arranging private and group coaching sessions with some of the top musicians in the Washington DC area in addition to this busy schedule.

The band will travel on May 12, 2003 and perform on May 13 and 14 and return May 15, 2003. The cost is $1,425 per student. Students have been making payments toward their cost and the band has raised approximately $5,000. However, many students are working their way through school and need help to pay their cost. Donations to help students with financial difficulty and to reduce the cost to students are much appreciated and can be made today at the door or sent to:
UAF Festival of the States Support Fund
Attn: Kim Davis
PO Box 757530
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7530