The Utah State University Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Thomas P. Rohrer, will perform its fall concert hosting two soloists of national prominence.

 

Joining the Wind Orchestra are Christopher Hayes, professor of trombone at Ohio University, and Jason Nicholson, previously from the University of North Texas and the new professor of percussion in the Department of Music at USU. Hayes is featured in the Lars Erik-Larsson Trombone Concertino and Nicholson will perform Joseph Schwantner’s Percussion Concerto.

 

The concert is Friday, Nov. 6, in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU campus (approximately 1110 E. 610 North, Logan). The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission for the event is $8 for adults with USU and school music students admitted at no cost. Call (435) 797-3004 with any questions. Tickets are available at the Caine School of the Arts Box Office in Fine Arts, 138-B, 435-797-8022, or online. Tickets will be available at the door.

 

An active performing artist, Hayes has appeared at national and international events, including the Newport Music Festival, Music Educators National Conference, International Trombone Association conference and the International Trumpet Guild conference.

 

Hayes completed his undergraduate study at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, N.Y., and at the University of Louisville, completing a bachelor’s degree in trombone performance and in music education. He earned a master’s in trombone from the University of Louisville and completed his doctorate in music education at the University of Missouri.

 

Nicholson is an assistant professor at USU, coming to USU from North Carolina to head the percussion program. He received his doctorate in percussion from the University of North Texas. From 2005-08, he was a graduate teaching fellow in percussion at UNT, where he taught applied lessons, percussion methods and percussion ensemble.

 

Nicholson has been an active performer in orchestral, jazz, chamber, solo, pop and world genres throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and Charlotte metropolitan regions. He has performed with notable groups, including the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charlotte Repertory Big Band, the Charles Craig Jazz Trio and the Dallas Wind Symphony.

 

In addition to his training on traditional Western percussion instruments, Nicholson has extensive experience in Afro-Cuban drumming and African Drumming.

 

The Wind Orchestra is the flagship ensemble of the USU Bands and is a 45-member ensemble of the finest wind and percussion players in the school.

 

The USU Bands upcoming schedule includes the annual “Sounds of the Stadium” marching band concert Saturday, Nov. 21, the Tri-State Band Symposium Finale Concert Dec. 5 and the holiday concert Dec. 6.

 

 

Source: USU Bands