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Symphony Band to showcase award winners and Memorial High School students

RELEASED: April 21, 2011

EAU CLAIRE — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Symphony Band will present its spring concert at 2 p.m. May 1, in Gantner Concert Hall of the Haas Fine Arts Center.

The Eau Claire Memorial High School Band, directed by Eric Dasher, will open the concert, an appearance the Symphony Band is especially looking forward to, according to Dr. Phillip Ostrander, associate professor of music and Symphony Band director. Dr. Peter Haberman, director of concert bands at UW-Eau Claire, will serve as guest conduct for two pieces, the second of which will be performed by a small group of Chamber Wind Ensemble members.

The concert also will feature UW-Eau Claire junior Megan Pattarozzi, Middleton, winner of the 2011 Student Concerto Competition, on clarinet; and senior Stefanie Berkopec, Apple Valley, Minn., winner of the 2011 Symphony Band Student Conducting Competition.

Pattarozzi won the concerto position for Copeland's Clarinet Concerto. She is the principal clarinetist for the Wind Symphony and played the piece for her junior recital in March. She said she has always been intrigued by the jazz influence combined with both lyrical and technical passages in the piece.

Berkopec will serve as student conductor for Vincent Persichetti's "Pageant." Berkopec has been involved in the Blugold Marching Band for four years and served as drum major during her junior and senior years. Her goal is to teach band in a middle school setting and introduce marching band to younger students to get them excited to continue with band during high school and beyond, Berkopec said.

The Symphony Band, an ensemble composed of music majors and talented non-music majors, is committed to the study and performance of the finest standard and contemporary works for band. The band maintains an active schedule and enjoys a reputation as a group committed to the highest musical standards. Symphony Band presents four concerts per year and participates in a concert tour each spring.

Tickets, available online and at the University Service Center, 715-836-3727 or 1-800-949-UWEC, are $6 for the general public; $4 for those 62 and older, 17 and younger, and faculty and staff with a university ID; and $1.50 for students with a university ID.

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MC/RD/DW

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