The Department of Music at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will present the ASU Wind Ensemble in concert Thursday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Fowler Center Riceland Hall.

In their final concert of the year, the ASU Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Ed Alexander, director of bands, will present in its entirety Symphony No. 1-Lord of the Rings movement I. Gandalf (The Wizard), movement II. Lothlorien (The Elvenwood), movement III. Gollum (Smeagol), movement IV. Journey in the Dark parts a. The Mines of Moria and b. The Bridge of Khazad-Dum, and movement V. Hobbits by Johan de Meij.

This symphony is the 1989 winner of the Sudler International Composition Competition, and represents a major undertaking for the ensemble. The work depicts, through musical themes repeated throughout each movement, the fate of the Ring. Though originally in the possession of Gollum, it falls into the hands of the Hobbits, awakening evil forces.

The ensuing struggle and eventual resolution are represented throughout the work. It should be a challenge for the musicians and listeners alike. Other musical selections include Ride by Samuel Hazo, and A Copland Portrait by Aaron Copland and arranged by Clare Grundman.

Members of the wind ensemble are Whitney Farris of Jonesboro, Tina Glover of Piggott, Tara Skinner of Tampa, Fla., Candice Hill of Bryant, Rose DeGrandchampe of Searcy, and Lindsay Krantz of Mountain Home, flute; Laura Guyer of Manchester, Mo., and Amy Dunivan of Jonesboro, oboe;

Emily Stevens of Tupelo, Miss., English horn; Mike Scott of Jonesboro and Alyssa Johnson of Bryant, bassoon; Tonya Fuller of Batesville, Ashlea Rudder of Jonesboro, Jeaney Morrison of Derry, N.H., Justin Crabb of Paragould, Staci Stewart of Prescott, and Mylie Brown of Walnut Ridge clarinet; Misti Cook of Russellville, bass clarinet; Terena Griffin of Paragould, contra clarinet; Jon Rohner of Jonesboro, Allene Kirk of Ravenden, and Patrick Manes of Jonesboro, alto saxophone; Drew Breckenridge of Newport, tenor saxophone; Tim Miller of Jonesboro, bari saxophone; Sherri Fincher of Paragould, Vanessa Johns of Paragould, Grant Harbison of Jonesboro, Jonathan Monroe of Jonesboro, Kate Puckett of Wilson, and Tom Akin of Jonesboro, trumpet; Jason Grisham of Jonesboro, Greg Osborne of Newport, Brannan Brown of Cabot, Beth Sullivan of Jonesboro, and Kimberly Brown of Forrest City, horn; Keith Dortch of Jonesboro, Daniel Harrelson of Warren, Kori Fisk of College Park, Md., Blake Howerton of Paragould, Landon Heidbreder of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Seth Weston of

Jonesboro, trombone; Corey Spencer of Wynne, bass trombone; Forrest Rodgers of Jacksonville, T.J. Burgess of Trumann, and Andrew Biggs of Jonesboro, euphonium; Jason Tacker of Wynne, John Hays of Jonesboro, and Justin Lowe of Ash Flat, tuba; and Tina Gragg of Jonesboro, Russell Neimeyer of Prescott, Alex Anderson of Marion, Carl Roberts of Jonesboro, Ben White of Jonesboro, and Janet Haner of Trumann, percussion.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information please call the Department of Music at 870-972-2094.

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