The Northwestern University Symphonic Band will perform at the North Central Division Conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) on Saturday, February 22, at 11:15 a.m. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held at DePaul University’s Gannon Concert Hall in the Holtschneider Performance Center.

Shawn D. Vondran, associate director of bands at the Bienen School of Music, serves as conductor of Symphonic Band. The ensemble was selected via blind audition process to perform at CBDNA along with 10 other prestigious ensembles.

Symphonic Band’s program includes Fanfare pour précéder “La Péri” by Paul Dukas; Fanfares for Friends by Joel Puckett; Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble by Jules Pegram, featuring Bienen School faculty saxophonist Taimur Sullivan; In the Open Air, In the Silent Lines by Aaron Perrine; and AMEN! by Carlos Simon.

The 50 current members of Symphonic Band range from freshmen to graduate students and represent 21 U.S. states and three foreign countries. Nearly all the students are music performance majors and half are pursuing dual degrees or double majors. 

Northwestern bands provide a variety of performance opportunities for qualified university students. Ensembles for music majors within the Bienen School include the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band; minors and non-majors participate in the Concert Band and Wildcat Marching Band. The program’s philosophy encourages the highest possible level of artistic music making through varied repertoire, offering a balance of chamber and large ensemble opportunities that encompass both contemporary and traditional literature. Mallory Thompson has served as director of bands since 1996.