In-house talent steps forward to conduct Wind Symphony opener

The Nebraska Wind Symphony might want to report its next concert to Guinness World Records.

That’s because the ensemble’s season-opening performance Sunday at the Strauss Performing Arts Center will feature nine conductors.

The maestros, all members of the group, will each conduct favorite pieces.

“We needed someone to conduct our opening concert following the departure of our former music director Janet Wright-McCaskill,” said Dan Kingkade, the ensemble’s saxophone player. “We got nine volunteers from the concert band.”

The ensemble, now in its 33rd season, had a lot of in-house conducting talent: The wind symphony counts many high school music teachers and band directors among its members.

Kingkade, a former music teacher and past assistant director of the ensemble, will conduct two Percy Grainger pieces, “Irish Tune from County Derry” and “Shepherd’s Hay.”

The group’s associate conductor, Chris Tucker, will lead John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post March” and Keith Davis’ “A Western Plains Overture.”

Davis, who is also a member of the band, will conduct Vaughan Williams’ “Sea Songs.”

The rest of the program will feature:

Andy Braun conducting selections from “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Brian Kracl leading Jacob de Haan’s “Ammerland.”

Don Jacobson conducting James Curnow’s “Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew.”

Chiyo Kamada in S. Konagaya’s “Japanese Tune.”

Andy Walters leading Brian Hogg’s “Pastorale Setting.”

And Alex Wimmer conducting Andrew Boysen’s “Fantasy on a Theme by Sousa.”

Contact the writer:

444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com