06-05-2025
Area educators to perform free concert May 12 in Staunton as part of the Valley Wind Ensemble
Celebrating its 10th year, the Valley Wind Ensemble is planning a free concert May 12 at 7 p.m. at Staunton High School's John Lewis Auditorium.
Stephen Bolstad, professor emeritus at James Madison University and the school's director of bands from 2007 until 2024, is the conductor of the Valley Wind Ensemble.
Formed in 2015, the ensemble provides an outlet for music educators in the Shenandoah Valley as well as other invited musicians.
"Our program is a very demanding and challenging program for the players," Bolstad said, "but it is also very audience friendly."
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A list of music for this year's program along with comments from Bolstad:
"Masque" (2001) - Kenneth Hesketh (British composer) "Technically very challenging for the players, but lots of fun to listen to."
"With Heart and Voice" (2001) - David Gillingham"The piece is based on the familiar hymn tune 'Come, Christians, Join and Sing,' and Gillingham presents the melody in a wide variety of musical settings."
"Lux Perpetua" (2020) - Frank Tichel"For anyone familiar with band music, Frank Ticheli is a well known name. The title of this piece translates to perpetual light. The piece was commissioned by the Baylor University Wind Ensemble in memory of two of their students who tragically died in an automobile accident. The piece has three sections with the outer sections being lyrical and reflective, and the middle section being triumphant and celebratory."
"Carmina Burana" (1937) - Carl Orff (German composer)"Carmina Burana is Orff's most famous work, and this multi-movement piece is the biggest piece on our concert. Everyone will recognize several of its melodies because they have been borrowed in pop culture and TV commercials."
Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County educators performing in the ensemble:
Jonathan Wilson, Staunton High
Charlie Nesmith, Shelburne Middle
Matt Baraclaugh, Wilson Memorial High
Tim DeSimone, Wilson Middle
Austin Gilbert, Wilson Memorial High
Sarah Maslock, Waynesboro High
Justus Butler, Riverheads High
Marshelle Moore, Riverheads Middle
Sarah Zotian, Hugh K. Cassell Elementary
Micthell Evans, Buffalo Gap Middle
Jadelyn Talley, Buffalo Gap High
Hunter Alen, Stuarts Draft Middle
Alan Shull, Principal, Fort Defiance High
Doug Lane, retired Staunton High
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Valley Wind Ensemble performing May 12 at Staunton High School
