Symphonic band to perform concert celebrating America and veterans

The Northwestern College Symphonic Band will present a concert focused on celebrating America and its military veterans, “Tis the Gift to be Free,” on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

The band, under the direction of Dr. Angela Holt, assistant professor of music at Northwestern, will perform a variety of pieces including works by American composers such as Aaron Copland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody” and Morton Gould’s “American Salute.” Flute soloist Ellen Podhajsky, the 2017–18 recipient of the Ritsema Family Scholarship, will be highlighted playing “Concertino” by Keith Gates. The ensemble will also feature Gould’s “Symphony for Band” written for the West Point Military Academy Band, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. 

“It is our privilege to recognize through musical reflection those who have served our country,” says Holt. “We invite all area veterans and residents to come out for a great evening of delightful music.”  

Holt joined Northwestern’s faculty this fall after serving as the associate director of wind studies and instructor at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. She previously directed bands at the College of William and Mary in Virginia and a high school in Texas. She earned doctoral and master’s degrees in instrumental conducting at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Wheaton College.