University News
Showcase of Bands Begins Friday
February 19, 2025
MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the 52nd annual Showcase of Bands on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.
The Showcase of Bands gives area high school musicians the opportunity to participate and learn from nationally recognized wind band conductors and WIU's applied and conducting faculty.
Three high school bands have been invited to attend: Limestone Community High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Justin Bainter and Stevi Rzeszutko; Richwoods High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Christopher Render and Kylie Hankoski; and Galesburg High School Wind Symphony, directed by Dena Baity and Kyle Barshinger. An Honor Band made up of high school student musicians from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri will also perform.
This year's Showcase of Bands will include the following guests: 2025 Honor Band Conductor, Darrin Davis, Director of Bands and Executive Director of Fine Arts for the Broken Arrow school district; 2025 Showcase Band Conductor/Clinician, Bradley Genevro, Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting in the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University; and 2025 Showcase of Bands Cultural Expert (Asian Music) and guest conductor, Michael Lee.
The WIU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Mike Fansler, Director of Bands, will welcome guest conductors Brad Genevro and Michael Lee and Graduate Assistant Chris Jenkins. The WIU Concert Band will be conducted by Matt Thomas, Associate Director of Bands and guests Darrin Davis and Michael Lee.
The 2025 Showcase of Bands performances include:
• Friday, Feb. 21 – 7:30 p.m. – WIU Wind Ensemble (COFAC Recital Hall)
• Saturday, Feb. 22 – 1 p.m. – Guest Showcase Bands (COFAC Recital Hall)
• Saturday, Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. – WIU Concert Band & Showcase Honor Band (COFAC Recital Hall)
All performances are free and open to the public. Friday's 7:30 p.m. concert and Saturday's 4 p.m. concert will be live-streamed on the School of Music's YouTube channel.
For more information, visit this link or wiu.edu/recitalhall.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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