Tennessee Tech University’s Symphony Band will perform at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville on April 13. The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature collaborations with the Assembly Saxophone Quartet and the Antioch High School Symphony Band.
The event is significant as it brings together university musicians, professional artists, and high school performers for a celebration of composer Katahj Copley’s music. Director of Bands Jeffrey Miller will conduct the ensemble, while Matthew Younglove—associate director of Tennessee Tech’s School of Music and a member of the Assembly Saxophone Quartet—will also participate.
“It’s very exciting for our students to get to perform on a stage as significant as the Schermerhorn in Nashville,” said Younglove. “And it’s doubly special that we have been able to forge this kind of major artistic collaboration between Tennessee Tech’s musicians, our quartet and these high school performers.”
Copley, who is under 30 years old, has written more than 100 works for various ensembles. Younglove described Copley’s style as “a distinctive voice that blends contemporary classical writing with influences from gospel, jazz and popular music.” The centerpiece of the evening will be the debut performance of Copley’s new concerto “Grosso Damn,” commissioned by both Tennessee Tech band ensembles and the Assembly Saxophone Quartet. The piece was inspired by “The Fall of the Damned,” a Baroque painting from the seventeenth century.
In addition to Copley’s work, pieces by other composers—including Griffin Candey, assistant professor at Tennessee Tech—will be performed. “It will be a full-length concert of multiple pieces, including a new work by Dr. Candey,” Younglove said. “It is truly a collaboration of so many aspects of what we do here at Tennessee Tech.”
The performance follows another major appearance for Miller and his ensemble; they are scheduled to play at the annual Tennessee Music Education Association conference on April 11 as its only collegiate large ensemble participant. Miller and Mark Cramer are also set to speak during this event.
“Our students have spent many hours preparing for this special performance,” added Miller. “The concert features an exciting combination of standard and new works that reflect the creativity and collaboration shaping today’s wind band repertoire.” Funding support comes from several arts initiatives including grants from both the Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Tech’s Center Stage program.
Tickets for Monday’s concert are now available.
