Utah State University Alumni Band June 28: 'Strike Up the Band!'

Utah State University’s Alumni Band opens the summer concert season with its spirited “Strike up the Band” concert Sunday, June 26, at 7 p.m. on the USU Quad.

Founded in 1963 by Max F. Dalby, the Alumni Band is made up of more than 300 USU band program alumni who have continued to perform seriously since graduation. Home for the Alumni Band is the band program and Music Department in the Caine College of the Arts (CCA) at USU. During the summer, several talented students are invited to perform with the band as well, as are USU Music Department faculty members. Each concert features 45-60 musicians, all of whom donate their services. Personnel changes for each concert, depending on musical needs and schedules of individual band members.

“The USU Alumni Band reaches through the ages,” Rebecca Nelson, Alumni Band member, said. “My father, Max Dalby, began the tradition in the 1960s with USU music educators and others attending. Since then, many who have joined along the way are still coming to play. Each year new USU music student graduates take their rightful place in the band.”

There are five USU Alumni Band concerts each summer. Due to the outstanding talent of the musicians that comprise the band, the concerts are presented with only a single rehearsal on the day of the performance. In its history, the band has only had two music directors —Max F. Dalby and Nicholas Morrison.

“I play to honor the legacy of my father and to support our current director, Dr. Morrison, who continues to dedicate himself to the band’s success,” Nelson said. “Alumni Band is fun and musically fulfilling, connecting me with friends I would otherwise never see. And, of course, it’s always a privilege to perform for our faithful audience!”

The opening Sunday’s performance features guest conductor Thomas Rohrer and a guest performer, Enrique Tellez, performing a tuba concerto.

Rohrer, professor of music and director of bands and music education in the CCA, has conducted the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Aggie Marching Band during his time at USU. An active composer with an established international reputation as a conductor and clinician, Rohrer is also music director and conductor of the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds.

Tellez, who Morrison calls one of the Caine College of the Art’s outstanding music students, is a participant in the CCA’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships, The Caine Scholars for Excellence Program. Tellez is a music education major who began his professional performing career while still an undergraduate with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra and Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre.

“As a student, musician and university citizen, he is among the best we’ve had in the department,” Morrison said. “It’s an honor to feature him with the band for our summer audience.”

This year’s future Alumni Band concerts are July 3, 17, 31 and Aug. 7. Performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Concerts are held on the USU Quad, but in the case of inclement weather, performances move inside to the Morgan Theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center.

For more information, call 435-797-8022 or see the college’s website.

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Writer and contact: Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whitney.schulte@usu.edu