Commissioned works. Of the six pieces that will be performed, five were written for or premiered by the Winona State University Wind Ensemble.
Hearing “our river” in concert
WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform its “Banks of the Mississippi” program at the state Music Educators Association conference. The program includes pieces by Finnish composer Hanna-Mari Lehtonen, saxophone innovator Derek Brown, gospel ensemblist Am’re Ford, socially and environmentally conscious composer Stephen Mitton, and Minnesota wildlife thematic compose Spencer Brand. All will be guests at the “Banks of the Mississippi” premier in Minneapolis on Friday, said Melanie Brooks Dinh, bands director at Winona State. This is first time the Winona State ensemble has been invited the MEA conference, Brooks Dinh said. Only two or three bands are invited to the annual conference.