Dr. Justin Knoepfel and Dr. James Patrick Miller will present the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra in their season finale concert which will feature the winners of the Gustavus Concerto/Aria Competition.

The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra is an impressive ensemble here at Gustavus.

It features dedicated students from a wide variety of majors. It is an integral part of the performance of Christmas in Christ Chapel that takes place every year.

“The concert will end with a rousing version of Stravinsky’s Berceuse and Finale from The Firebird when the two ensembles come together.” — Justin Knoepfel

The Symphony Orchestra is the official touring orchestral ensemble of Gustavus and tours domestically three years out of a four year cycle and internationally every four years.

In the past they have toured places including, the British Isles, the People’s Republic of China, South Africa, Greece, and Macedonia.

The Gustavus Wind Orchestra was founded in 1878 and is the premiere and official touring wind ensemble at Gustavus.

It is the oldest touring collegiate ensemble at Gustavus and the oldest in the United States west of the Mississippi.

The Wind Orchestra tours annually throughout the United States and Canada and every four years internationally, a touring tradition that has taken place since 1881.

The Wind Orchestra is made up of 65 members from all the majors here at Gustavus.

All members rehearse together, perform together, and each member experiences being in the position of the premiere chair.

The Wind Orchestra is also known throughout the U.S for its creation of new music. New works have been created by composers such as Shawn Brogan Allison, David Gillingham, Jack Stamp, and James Stephenson.

The Gustavus Wind Orchestra is also known for its service learning program Gustavus Winds Outreach which participates around the world, working with children and communities through service projects.

The Finale concert that Knoepfel and Miller will direct together will start off with the Wind Orchestra performing selections from their 140th Anniversary Concert to open the program.

This concert features the winners of the Gustavus Concerto/Aria competition; Junior Andy DeLuca on the clarinet, Senior Christian Gustafson singing tenor, and Senior McKenzie Perry with the flute.

This concert will give “students the chance to see their peers perform as soloists, which is always a great experience,” Mara Klein, Director of Fine Arts, said.

DeLuca will perform the slow movement Arioso from composer Alun Hoddinott’s Concert for Clarinet and Strings, Op. 3.

Gustafson will perform the aria “Ingemisco tamquam reus” from Verdi’s Requiem.

Finally, Perry will be featured in Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 8 by Otar Gordeli.

The concert will end with “a rousing version of Stravinsky’s Berceuse and Finale from The Firebird” when the two ensembles come together, Knoepfel said.

Klein says this will be “a fantastic concert featuring some wonderful repertoire.”

Dr. Knoepfel echoes this statement saying “it is sure to be a wonderful evening of music-making, emotions, and memories.” If you would like to go and see this exciting performance it will take place on Friday June 1, 7 – 9 p.m. in Bjorling Recital Hall.

It is free and open to the public, and it will also be live streamed through a link on the Gustavus website.