KU University Band to give Celtic themed performance on April 25

LAWRENCE – Featuring bagpipes and Highland dancers, the KU University Band’s final performance of the year will take the audience on a Celtic journey at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Lied Center of Kansas. The concert is a shared program with KU Jazz Ensembles II and III performing in the first half. 

The University Band, conducted by Sharon Toulouse, assistant director of bands, will perform seven works that pull from the Celtic and folksong tradition. Among them are Leroy Anderson’s “The Irish Washerwoman,” Frank Ticheli’s “Loch Lomond,” and Carl Strommen’s “Cumberland Cross.” Special guest David McNally will be joining the band on bagpipes for “The Parting Glass,” arranged by Ian Macpherson, “Gaelic Fantasy,” arranged by Alex Knox and “Scotland the Brave, Black Bear, Highland Laddie,” arranged by Calum Gray. Members of Kansas City St. Andrew’s Highland Dancers Association will perform during Brian Balmages’ “Blue Ridge Reel.”

Earlier in the concert, the KU Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Chuck MacKinnon, will perform works by Dan Gailey, Vernon Duke, Joey Calderazzo and Neal Hefit. The KU Jazz Ensemble III, directed by Daniel Gerona, will perform works by Mike Dana, Vince Norman and Patty Darling.

Tickets for the performance are $8 for adults and $6 for children, seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at the Lied Center Ticket Office, by phone at 785-864-2787 or online at lied.ku.edu. The performance will be available to watch via live stream at https://livestream.com/liedcenter.

For more information, contact the KU School of Music at 785-864-3436 or visit www.music.ku.edu.