EAU CLAIRE - The Wind Ensemble will present a concert at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 20, in Gantner Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The group is conducted by Dr. Todd Fiegel, assistant professor of music.

Among the pieces the ensemble will perform are "Ghost Train" by Eric Whitacre, "Prelude in Eb Minor" by Dmitri Shostakovich, and "Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber" by Paul Hindemith.

The Hindemith piece is a major 20th century symphony by one of the great German composers of our time, Fiegel said. The entire work is rarely performed by a wind band. "We are excited to be able to offer this performance," he said.

The second half of the concert will include Grainger's "Molly on the Shore" and "Colonial Song," and "'Country Band' March" by Charles Ives. It also will include a set of film music that features original score excerpts from "North by Northwest" and "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad."

The film music selections will culminate in a live performance of a Roadrunner cartoon score that will accompany the film as it's projected for viewing. "This is rarely done anywhere because of the tight synchronization between music and film," Fiegel said. "My students have had to work very hard to obtain the precise timing."

"We probably all immediately recognize the sound of a Roadrunner or Bugs Bunny cartoon. Almost all were scored by veteran Warner Brothers composer Carl Stalling," Fiegel said. "But to hear the entire score without the sound effects obscuring it is a very special opportunity. It really demonstrates the brilliance of portraying visual action through musical composition."

Tickets for the show are $4.50 for the general public; $3.50 for senior citizens, children under 18, and faculty and staff; or $1.25 with a UW-Eau Claire ID. Tickets are available in the lobby of the Fine Arts Center.
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SMG/JB

Updated: April 14, 1997