USU's Alumni Band's Summer Series Continues

The Utah State University Summer Alumni Band takes the stage Sunday, June 25, at 7 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall for its second concert of the season. The band’s series of free concerts, now in its 44th year, is an annual gift from the university to the citizens of Cache Valley and its summer residents.

“I’d particularly like to invite the young people of Cache Valley to these performances,” said Alumni Band director and USU faculty member Nicholas Morrison. “It can be expensive for a family to attend a performance together, and young children are not always welcomed. Because these Aggie alumni donate their services, we’re able to offer these concerts to the public without charge, and only ask that parents with young children sit near the exits in case their little one doesn’t like our programming.”

 

The June 25 program features soloist Randy Houtz, a graduate of Utah State and the band director at Kaysville Junior High in Kaysville, Utah, performing Carnival of Venice on the euphonium. Thomas Rohrer, USU’s own director of bands, will conduct the band for Houtz’s solo. In addition to his responsibilities as director of bands at Utah State, Rohrer also serves as music director of the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, which recently performed at the Music Educators National Conference. Houtz plays euphonium in the Salt Lake-based ensemble that also recently performed this work.

 

“It seemed natural to invite Tom and Randy to perform up here for our summer audience,” said Morrison. “Randy is a fine player, and Tom will make sure that the band is with him every step of the way.”

 

Other selections on Sunday’s program include Alfred Reed’s A Festival Prelude, highlights from West Side Story by Bernstein and several marches, including "March" from Symphonic Metamorphosis by Paul Hindemith. The band also performs a patriotic selection at the end of the program.

 

“We had a very fine audience for our opening concert,” reported Morrison. “But there were still enough seats — everyone who came could have brought a friend.”

 

Sunday’s program takes place at 7 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall on the Utah State campus. The band will change location the following Sunday, July 2, for its annual Independence Week concert — the July 2 performance takes place at 7 p.m. on the Quad, east of Old Main.