Wisconsin Symphonic Winds will present the final concert of its 2009 summer season entitled "Masterworks for Winds II" on Tuesday September 1 at 7:30 pm. in the Music Hall of the Arts and Communications Center at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. The WSW is made up of more than fifty of the region's best woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians and performs a handful of concerts each summer. Formed in 2004 on an initiative of Rand Skelton, Appleton based freelance musician and musical contractor, the ensemble has played twice at the prestigious Green Lake Festival as well as at the State Music Educator's conference in Madison. The WSW's Artistic Director and Conductor is Dr. Rob McWilliams. Dr McWilliams, a native of Australia, has been resident in the U.S. Since 1991 and is internationally recognized for his work as a conductor, instrumental music educator, and clinician. He has conducted ensembles and presented research and workshops at major international music conferences in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Europe, Singapore, and the United States. He is currently an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands and Instrumental Music Education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and teaches courses in instrumental music education, conducting, and jazz.

The forthcoming "Masterworks for Winds II" concert follows up on the first "Masterworks" concert the WSW performed in its inaugural season in 2004 to much critical acclaim. The upcoming concert will once again feature this outstanding ensemble in a program of quality wind band literature performed at the highest level. Lawrence University faculty member Marty Erickson (tuba) will be featured soloist on this program. Marty has had a distinguished career as a tubist including 26 years as principal tubist and tuba soloist with the United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C., where he served under six Navy Band leaders and seven presidents. Equally comfortable performing jazz, pops, and the classics and at home in any venue from symphony orchestra to dixieland band, Marty Erickson has established himself among audiences, colleagues, conductors and students as one of the most versatile tubists in the world. He has performed as a soloist and clinician throughout the U.K., Western Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, Greece, Spain, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and 48 of the 50 United States. On this WSW program Marty will perform Rolf Wilhelm's delightful solo work "Concertino for Tuba and Winds."

Other masterworks to be featured on this program are Dmitri Shostakovich's "Festive Overture," J.S. Bach's "Fantasia in G," Sam Hazo's "Ride," Percy Grainger's "Colonial Song," and the wonderful neo-romantic "Symphony No. 3" by Vittorio Giannini.

Date: Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Music Hall, Arts & Communications Building, UWO (corner of Vine and Elmwood Streets, Oshkosh).
Cost: $7 adult. $5 students, seniors and children. Free for students with UWO I.D.

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