Heather Hall

On Feb. 8, the historic Christy Ballroom in Pugsley Center at SDSU will host a centennial concert.

The 25-member band preformed its first concert under the direction of John Parmalee Mann on Feb. 8, 1902.

In recognition of this first initial concert, the 60-member SDSU symphonic band will perform at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

James McKinney, the director of bands knows this concert will offer much more than concerts in the past.

“It [the concert] will certainly have more variety since we’re trying to re-cap the 100 years of existence of the band.”

The concert will also carry more significance since it will premiere the song “All Honor and Glory,” which is a contemporary fanfare of “Yellow & Blue,” the school song. Jim Coull, assistant director of bands, wrote this new piece.

“We are very proud of the fact that there has been a tradition of excellence here for a long time. To be able to honor the music and directors of the past all the way up to the present makes this a very special concert for us,” McKinney said.

The band will perform at least one musical selection from each decade, starting with 1902 to 1912. One of these songs is titled “Stars and Stripes Forever” which will be conducted by Darwin Walker.

“Another significant number is a piece called ‘David’, it’s a very extensive piece based on the story of David and Goliath,” McKinney said. This song will feature freshman Music major Stephanie Meyer as a soloist.

Five guest conductors who were also former band directors at SDSU from the past 50 years will once again have the opportunity to direct.

These guest conductors will include: Kenneth Carpenter, now living in Austin, Texas who was band director from 1957 to 1960. Warren Hatfield, who resides in Phoenix, Arizona, led the band from 1961 to 1972. Also, John Colson who is a current music professor at SDSU directed in 1965. Darwin Walker who retired in Brookings was director from 1973 to 1984.

The concert will also be a part of the annual South Dakota In-Service Music Conference, which runs Feb. 7 through the 9 at the University Student Union. For more information on the SDSU centennial anniversary concert, call the Music Department at 688-5187.