Symphonic Winds in Concert Nov. 17

Furman Symphonic Winds will present its fall concert Thursday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. in McAlister Auditorium on the Furman University campus.

The concert, “Sanctuary,” is open to the public. Tickets for the Sound Quality Series event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students.

Conducted by Furman music professors Leslie W. Hicken and Jay Bocook, with student conductors Alex Armock and Emily Salgado, the program includes 70 student musicians performing:

“Washington Grays March” (1861)
Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880)
Re-arranged G.H. Reeves
Ed. Frederick Fennell

“Tribute” (1985)
Mark Camphouse (b. 1954)

First Suite in E-flat, Op. 28 No. 1 (1921)
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Chaconne
Alex Armock, student conductor

Intermezzo

March
Emily Salgado, student conductor

“Firefly” (2008)
Ryan George (b. 1978)

“Sanctuary” (2006)
Frank Ticheli  (b. 1958)

“Funiculi-Funicula Rhapsody” (2001)
Luigi Denza (1846-1922)
Arr. Yo Goto

For more information about the event, contact the Furman University Music Department at (864) 294-2086, or email the department at FurmanMusic@furman.edu. Tickets may be purchased online at this link.

About Les Hicken
Leslie W. Hicken joined the Furman music faculty in 1993. He directs the wind ensemble, symphonic band and chamber wind ensembles and serves as assistant director to the marching band. In 2012, he led the wind ensemble to the American Bandmasters Association National Convention in Charleston, S.C. A member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association Hall of Fame, Hicken is president of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, and member of the American Bandmasters Association. Prior to joining Furman’s faculty, Hicken was the director of bands at Youngstown State (Ohio) University and director of the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra. He also performed as a clarinetist in the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. Earlier in his career, Hicken taught in Durham, N.C. and performed as a clarinetist in the U.S. Military Academy. Hicken holds a bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, and advanced degrees from Columbia University and Indiana University.

About Jay Bocook
A native of Clearwater, Fla., Jay Bocook is recognized internationally as a composer, arranger, conductor and educator. Bocook’s work has been performed at the Olympic Games (1984, 1996 and 2002). In 2003, his music transcriptions of composer John Williams were premiered by the United States Marine Band in a concert at the Kennedy Center. More recently, he was commissioned by Furman to compose music for the 2015 inauguration of Furman’s 12^th president, Elizabeth Davis. At Furman, Bocook is director of athletic bands. He has served as assistant conductor of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and remains a principal composer and arranger for Hal Leonard Corporation, where he has published more than 600 compositions and arrangements. He is the music arranger for the 10-time World Champion Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2009, Bocook was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the American Bandmasters Association, and holds degrees from Furman University and University of Louisiana.

Student Conductor Emily A. Salgado
Emily Salgado, a senior music education major, percussionist, and student conductor, is the daughter of James Horton and Kristi Robinson of Anderson, S.C. Salgado has performed in several ensembles at Furman, including the Furman Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, the Furman Chorale, and the Furman Percussion Ensemble. Salgado serves as the drum major of the Paladin Regiment and is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.

Student Conductor Alex Armock
Senior music education major, saxophone player, and student conductor Alex Armock is the son of Kristi and Scott Armock of Summerville, S.C.  Armock has performed in several ensembles at Furman, including the Furman Symphonic Winds, the Furman Wind Ensemble, the Furman Jazz Band and Jazz Combos, the Bergman Saxophone Quartet, and the Furman Chorale.  Armock is a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.