Some may think musicians on campus are all music majors, but both the WSU Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble prove this is not true.

Danh Pham, director of bands at WSU, said while the Symphonic Wind Ensemble is an audition-based group, both bands are open to non-music majors.

The groups will perform this Thursday led by Pham and David Turnbull, also of the School of Music. Entitled “Echoing Forests,” the performance pieces highlight the skills of both ensembles.

“We tried to select a theme that references a work or two from each band’s programs,” Pham said. “Music is selected based on audience appeal and student ability.”

Pham said he took the experience of the audience into consideration.

“Conductors typically want to perform works our students would enjoy playing while entertaining our audience,” Pham said.

For the performance as a whole, Pham said concert goers should expect a variety in the pieces performed.

“We have singable folk songs, marches, gallops, and a surprise here and there with non-traditional band instruments,” Pham said. 

The performance will also feature guest conductors and music graduate students Joshua Buckrucker and Chris Nelson, as well as guest faculty soloist Ruth Boden on the cello.

“Dr. Ruth Boden will steal the show with her rendition of Michael Schelle’s ‘Prayer’,” Pham said.

Pham expects the music to engage the audience easily, and said he looks forward to concerts because he never knows how the audience will respond.

“It’s the unknown that’s most appealing to me,” Pham said. “You never know how your performance will impact a listener or a performer. For some, this could be their peak musical performance experience. For others, it’s the first time they’ve ever attended a band concert.”

The Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform tonight at 8 p.m. in Bryan Hall Theatre. Admission is free.