Henderson State Wind Ensemble to perform at Malvern High School and Showband reunion

Henderson State University's Wind Ensemble will present two concerts next week that are free and open to the public.

The first performance, on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m., is a special side-by-side collaboration with the Malvern High School Concert Band at the Malvern High School auditorium. The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Montgomery Hill and Nevada Mills, will join forces with the Malvern Band, directed by Jon Stevenson, in a performance that highlights the power of community engagement through music.

As a part of the Showband of Arkansas reunion, the Wind Ensemble will perform the concert again on Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m. on the Henderson campus in the Garrison ballroom.

The program will present a collection of pieces that capture the spirit and tradition of the university, including:

• Skyward Spirits by Jarod Hall
• Dance of the Shimmering Spirits by Robert Sheldon
• When Spirits Soar by Brian Balmages
• Who's Who in Navy Blue by John Philip Sousa

A featured highlight of the concert will be a performance by Jedediah DeWeber, Henderson State University's Concerto Award winner. DeWeber, a junior music education major and graduate of Lake Hamilton High School, will perform the Concertino for Trombone by Ferdinand David, showcasing both his technical mastery and musical artistry in this virtuosic work.

Additionally, Saturday's performance at the Showband of Arkansas reunion will include Henderson State traditional pieces B-Flat to G, Alma Mater, and Fight Song, all conducted by Showband alumni in attendance.

"This unique initiative reflects a shared commitment to bringing communities together to promote the arts while also providing meaningful musical experiences for students," Hill said. "We appreciate Malvern director of bands Jon Stevenson and his outstanding students for agreeing to perform with us on Thursday, and we look forward to performing in front of our Showband friends, family, and alumni on campus Saturday."

As the newly appointed director of bands at Henderson State University, Hill has made it a priority to partner with outstanding high school programs, creating opportunities for young musicians to perform alongside collegiate ensembles while strengthening recruiting efforts and advancing the mission of the Henderson State band program.