The Gustavus Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. James Patrick Miller, returned from its tour of Sweden and Norway and presented their concert – “Children: Our Hope for the Future” on February 17 to a packed Bjorling Recital Hall.

The concert featured works by Andrew Boysen, Jr., Percy Grainger, and David Maslanka which were “performed to great appreciation by our audiences” Miller said.

The focus of the program was David Maslanka’s ‘A Child’s Garden of Dreams’ – a piece Miller said carried the most weight with performers and audiences alike all across the tour.

Senior performers Kelly Neubauer ‘18 (clarinet), McKenzie Perry ‘18 (flute), and senior conductor, Ryan O’Neil ‘18 were highlighted in the concert.

Also joining the concert, Assistant Professor Karrin Meffert-Nelson performed as a soloist, and Gustavus Wind Symphony conductor Heidi Johanna Miller led as guest conductor.

GWO toured from January 25 through February 8 visiting various cities across Sweden and Norway stopping in Stockholm, Uppsala, Falun, Karlstad, Oslo, Voss, and Bergen.

As a senior, McKenzie Perry enjoyed her final tour with the ensemble and reflected on how, “GWO has been a huge part of my life at Gustavus, partially because of the time commitment but more so, socially with all of the wonderful people I have become friends with.

“Two of my roommates are girls I met in band as a first year. The tours and rehearsals really draw everyone together with common connections to the music and each other, which has been a valuable and impactful way to spend my time at Gustavus” Perry said.

Her favorite concert venue on the tour was the Uppsala University Concert Hall because it was beautiful and resonant.

Traveling with 80+ college students is no easy task, however “this group of students were resilient and amazing to travel with,” Professor Karrin Meffert-Nelson said. “I was amazed at their ability to create music at the highest level in so many different spaces”.

Miller was not able to pick a specific location he enjoyed most, except praising the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm – which is a ‘breathtaking’ new national concert hall – and all of the ancient cathedrals performed in across Sweden and Norway.

The final concert of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra tour was held in Bjorling and one of much anticipation by both performers and audience members.

“This group of students were resilient and amazing to travel with. I was amazed at their ability to create music at the highest level in so many different spaces.” — Karrin Meffert-Nelson

“Home concerts in general are powerful because we all become changed through our time together overseas.  That, in turn, creates a powerful personal and musical connection between us that we hopefully provide a meaningful experience for our home audience” Meffert-Nelson said.

Calling the concert “not to be missed”, Miller anticipated a ‘life-changing performance’ and praised his ensemble for their hard work and dedication to their music.

“This program has become completely unified and the students have taken ownership of this music in ways I have never seen before” Miller said.