KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 21, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island Wind Ensemble and Concert Band open the Music Department’s spring semester concerts this weekend. Here is a look of the late winter and early spring lineup of the department’s main music ensembles.

The Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, both under the direction of URI professor Brian Cardany, will perform Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.

The Concert Band portion of the show will include a large percussion section of 10 players on John Mackey’s composition “Foundry.” The Concert Band will also perform  “Choreography” by Robert Sheldon, “Night Dances” by Bruce Yurko, and “Novo Lenio” by Sam Hazo. 

The Wind Ensemble concert will feature three pieces that are inspired by sacred texts or psalms, said Cardany. The song choices to match the theme include “Psalm for Band” by Vincent Persichetti, “Sketches on a Tudor Psalm” by Fisher Tull, “Os Justi” by Anton Bruckner, and March from “Symphonic Metamorphosis” by Paul Hindemith. 

On Wednesday, March 19, the Symphony Orchestra will feature the work of composer Eliane Aberdam, a professor of music at URI. The concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall, will also include the winners of the Concerto Competition and the Orchestral Composition Competition – Daniel Villela, Nancy Olivares, and Justin Laukat.

The orchestra, under the direction of Luis Viquez, will perform Franz Joseph Hadyn’s Symphony No. 22 and scores from the films “Lord of the Rings” and “Batman.” 

Tickets for these concerts can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite or in-person at the box office an hour prior to the performance. All of these events will be held at the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston. Tickets for are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and for students, faculty and staff. Children 12 and under are admitted free. 

The spring lineup will also present numerous smaller concerts, including student recitals and combo and ensemble performances. Check out the full events listings for upcoming concerts.

Ethan Weiner, a junior sports media major and public relations minor at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Communications and Marketing, wrote this press release.