DURANT, Okla. – The Southeastern Symphonic Winds – Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s premier instrumental ensemble – opens its 2012-2013 concert season with a program entitled “Wind Band Classics” on Thursday, September 27. The performance begins at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of the university.

The program is an audience-friendly pops style concert in the vein of outdoor concerts performed by the Sousa Band near the turn of the 20th century, and is presented in association with Southeastern’s Homecoming festivities, which run September 27-29.

“This concert is a potpourri of musical styles and influences,” said Director of Bands Dr. Jacob Wallace. “We’ll hear famous transcriptions, classic works for band, and – of course – several marches.”

The program will also welcome Chris Gregg – Director of Bands at Durant High School and a Southeastern alumnus – as a guest conductor.

“Mr. Gregg is an outstanding representative of the quality musical education that we offer at Southeastern,’’ Wallace said. “He has continued and expanded upon a real tradition of excellence in the Durant High School music program, and has always been an avid supporter of the music program here at Southeastern. We are truly fortunate to count him among our many talented and supportive alums.”

Works on the program include John Williams’ Summon the Heroes, Aaron Copland’s An Outdoor Overture, Howard Hanson’s Chorale and Alleluia, Vincent Persichetti’s Pageant, John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever, and Carmen Dragon’s famous arrangement of Samuel Ward’s America the Beautiful.

The Southeastern Symphonic Winds is a performing ensemble consisting of Southeastern students and is open to qualified students in all disciplines pending competitive audition.

Admission to the concert is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Department of Music at 580-745-2088 or Wallace at 580-745-2084.