With guest Christopher Van Hof, Trombone

The Concert Orchestra’s program titled Looking Back to Look Forward opens with Edvard Grieg’s ‘Holberg’ Suite, Op. 40, conducted by Leslie Stewart. Professor Stewart articulates that, “although the Neo-Classical style is most often associated with 20th century composers such as Prokofiev and Stravinsky, Grieg anticipated this trend in 1884 with his suite based on 18th century dance forms. 18th century composer Georg Christoph Wagenseil wrote one of the earliest concertos for trombone in 1763 and is considered one of the architects of Viennese Classical style.” Dr. Christopher Van Hof joins the orchestra for Wagenseil’s “Concerto for Alto Trombone,” directed by graduate conducting student Jeremy Cuebas. On this shared concert, the Concert Band, conducted by Dr. Erik Johnson, “takes audience members on a journey through music inspired by structures — both created by humans and nature,” with an array of works reflective of the best contemporary and traditional repertoire in American concert band literature.