11/11/05 Contact: Johnnie Vinson, 334/844-3178 (vinsojb@auburn.edu)
David Granger, 334/844-9999 (grangdm@auburn.edu)

AU BANDS, CHOIRS TO PRESENT CONCERT CELEBRATING SOUNDS OF AUBURN

AUBURN – The Auburn University Department of Music will present four bands and three choral groups in a musical showcase, Sounds of Auburn – Celebrating Auburn and America, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

The site for the free band and choral concert is a change of venue from the four previous annual concerts.

Performing will be the AU Marching Band, Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Steel Drum Band and University Singers. Each group will perform individually, and the program will conclude with a musical celebration of America by the combined Concert Choir and Marching Band. More than 500 performers will participate.

Lee Miller, an associate producer of the NBC Today Show, will be Master of Ceremonies. While an Auburn student, the 1999 graduate sang in the Concert Choir, Vocal Chamber Ensemble and University Singers.

Conductors include Thomas R. Smith, chair of the Department of Music and director of choral activities, conducting the Concert Choir and University Singers; Johnnie Vinson, director of bands, conducting the Symphonic Band; Rick Good, associate director of bands, conducting the Marching Band; Doug Rosener, assistant director of bands, conducting the Steel Drum Band; William and Rosephanye Powell conducting the Gospel Choir; and Ramon Vasquez conducting the Jazz Ensemble.

“One purpose of the Sounds of Auburn is to showcase the musical excellence and variety of the performing groups in the Department of Music,” said Smith. “We want the community and state to know what we have to offer for those students interested in music study.”

Smith added, “The opportunity to present the Auburn community with a musical gift celebrating both Auburn and America is especially gratifying for the students in the Department of Music.”

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn is Alabama’s largest educational institution, offering more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

(Contributed by Johnnie Vinson.)

# # #

nov05:AU-soundsofauburn05