UK Wind Symphony Performs World Premiere of Alarcón Composition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2013) — The University of Kentucky Wind Symphony, conducted by John Cody Birdwell, will present the world premiere of an important new composition – “Symphony for Wind Orchestra” by Spanish composer Luis Serrano Alarcón. The four movement symphony will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.

The world premiere is the result of a commissioning effort by the 12 institutions representing the Southeast Conference Band Directors Association. Alarcón will be in attendance for the premiere. The program will also include two new works for wind symphony: Steven Bryant’s “Ecstatic Fanfare,” conducted by James Daughters, and the Kentucky premiere of “The Frozen Cathedral,” by John Mackey.

Alarcón is widely regarded as one of Spain’s leading composers, and his music has been performed in more than 25 countries. As a conductor, Alarcón has been invited to lead performances of his music in several countries including Spain, Italy, Singapore, Colombia and the United States. He has received commissions from several major musical organizations including the Southeast Conference Band Directors Association; the Villa Altea International Band Competition in Valencia, Spain; University of St. Thomas, in Minn.; and The Philharmonic Winds, in Singapore.

In 2006, Alarcón won first prize at the International Band Competition Contest of Corciano, Italy, and again in 2009, making him the only composer to win this prestigious award on two separate occasions. His composition “Duende” received the award for Best Publication of a Classical Composition from the National Music Awards. The National Music Awards are distributed annually by the Academy of Arts and Music Sciences and are considered the most prestigious musical awards in Spain. Alarcón currently serves as professor of composition at the Professional Conservatory of Valencia and also serves as principal conductor of the Betera Centre Artistic Musical Symphonic Band in Valencia, Spain.

The UK Wind Symphony is made up of the finest wind and percussion performers in the UK School of Music. As the centerpiece of a band program that has served the Commonwealth of Kentucky for more than 100 years, the UK Wind Symphony continues a tradition of professional-level performances to audiences throughout the Commonwealth and the United States. Recently, the UK Wind Symphony has received international recognition by being selected to perform at the 2013 College Band Directors National Association National Convention, and during the summer of 2008, the ensemble participated in a 10-day concert tour of the People's Republic of China.

For more information about “Symphony for Wind Orchestra,” contact the UK Bands at 859-257-2263 or visit www.ukbands.org

UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts has garnered national recognition for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu