The University of Nebraska at Omaha
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
James R. Saker, Conductor

Program

Lunar Epiphanies ____________________________________Thom Wubbenhorst

Open Ye Gates, Swing Wide Ye Portals _____________________John Cheetham

1. Gleaming Plaster Palaces
2. Mr. Ferris’s Giant Wheel
3. Shufflin’ Down the Pike
4. Exotica
5. A Race at the Bandstand

Conversations for Marimba, Winds and Percussion ___________Larry MacTaggart

1. Coffee Shop Chatter
2. Water Cooler Debate
3. Exchange of Vows
4. Visitar con Abuela
5. Family Reunion

            Tomm Roland, Marimba

Premier Performance
Suite of Latvian Folk Songs_________________________________Jazeps Vitols

Janis Purins Guest Conductor

Wind Orchestra - Riga Latvia

Dies Natalis ___________________________________________Howard Hanson

Turbine ________________________________________________John Mackey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James R. Saker Bio
James R. Saker is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a position he has held since 1978. He also served as Chair of the Department of Music from 1992 through 1999 and from 2001 through 2006. Under his leadership the University Marching and Concert Bands have received national and international acclaim.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, which he founded in 1978, has performed for numerous professional conferences including the International Conference of the Association of Concert Bands and for the regional conferences of The College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). This ensemble has completed five international tours including a performance at the 60th Anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 2004 and a tour to Estonia Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway in May 2006 that included concerts hosted by the United States Ambassadors in each country and a performance at the International Music Festival in Lithuania.  This group will travel to the Pilsen in the Czech Republic to perform at the Ceremony Commemorating the ending of WWII in May 2008 with other performances in Prague.  Concerts in Vienna and Innsbruck Austria, and Bourges and Paris France also are planned.

Dr. Saker earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Music Degree from Youngstown State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He has received the University's Great Teacher Award, a Nebraska Board of Regents Commendation, and has twice been the recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence. He was selected for the Marquis Who's Who in the Midwest in each edition since in 1993 and Who's Who in The World in each edition since 1995.  He has been recognized by the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association as the recipient of the prestigious Donald A. Lentz Outstanding Bandmaster Award. In 1996 he was awarded an endowed chair as the Isaacson Distinguished Professor of Music.  He also was chosen for the "Chancellor's Medal," the highest honor awarded by the University. UNO's International Studies and Programs division recently honored him with the Harold Anderson/Thomas Gouttierre "Andy" award 'in recognition of his numerous contributions to enhance the international awareness of the citizens of Nebraska.

He has served the profession as President of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and as President of the Nebraska Music Educators Association. Currently he is State Chair and will serve as coordinator and host of the 2008 North Central Division CBDNA Professional Conference. An active clinician and lecturer, he has presented sessions at numerous state, regional and national Music Educators Association Conferences and at the regional and national conventions of the College Band Directors National Association. Also, he has guest conducted high school, collegiate, honors and professional groups throughout the United States, and in Canada and Europe.

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA

Symphonic Wind Ensemble
James R. Saker, Conductor

The University’s premiere concert band, The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has developed an exemplary reputation throughout the country and abroad for its exceptional performances of the finest traditional and contemporary wind literature.  Founded in 1978 by Dr. Saker, members are selected by audition from the finest musicians on campus.  The ensemble performs an average of five campus concerts a year and in regional tours to schools .
The ensemble was chosen to perform at the College Band Directors National Association North Central Conference in 1994 and again in 2008, the International Conference of the Association of Concert Bands, Nine Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Conventions, Eleven Nebraska Music Educators Association Professional Conferences, and other regional and national professional conferences.  They also have performed at music festivals both in the United States and in Europe. 
In the spring of 1996, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble traveled to Europe for a concert tour to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.  In the spring of 2000, the ensemble completed a concert tour to Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark.  In March 2002, the Wind Ensemble presented a concert tour to France, Belgium, and Germany.  The group’s 2004 tour was presented in May and June with performances in Ireland, Wales, England and France Culminating with a special performance for the 60th Commemoration of the D-Day Landings in Normandy.  The most recent tour was presented in May 2006 with performances at the International Music Festival in Lithuania, throughout Latvia, at the Spring Music Festival in Estonia, and in Skein and Kristensand Norway.  The group will perform in the Czech Republic in May, 2008 for the Ceremony commemorating the German surrender to American troops at the end of World War II.  Other performances for the upcoming tour will be presented in Prague, Vienna and Innsbruck Austria, and in Bourges and Paris France.   Many of the performances related to these international concert tours were presented in conjunction with UNO’s Sister Universities and Omaha’s Sister Cities in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, and the Czech Republic.  Other performances were presented with the assistance and support of the United States State Department and the American Ambassadors in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Poland. 
UNO has long been involved in commissioning and premiering new works for Wind Ensemble.  Composers who have written works for the group include Kenton Bales, Roland Barrett, Andrew Boysen, Roger Cichy, Keith Davis, Larry MacTaggart, Claude Smith, and Christopher Stanichar.  The ensemble has performed under distinguished guest conductors including David Blackinton, Alan Bonner, Russell Coleman, James Croft, Robert Fleming, Lissa Flemming, Paula Holcomb, Pat Hoy, Dennis Johnson, Tom Lee, John Locke, Don Marcouiller, Victor Markovich, Bruce Moss, Steve Peterson, Frank Piersol, William Wakefield, Myron Welch, and John Zdechlik.  The group has performed with some of the leading soloists in the country including Brian Bowman, Ray Crisara, Armando Ghitalla, Rich Matteson, Harvey Phillips, Eugene Rousseau, and Leigh Howard Stevens.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has released two compact disk recordings.  The first featuring the Concert Choir and Jazz Ensemble was released in 1997.  The second CD, Platte River Run, was entirely devoted to works recorded by the Wind Ensemble.  The third CD in the series, A Nebraska Legacy, is currently in production.  This recording features works commissioned or premiered by Nebraska Bands including several works commissioned by the Wind Ensemble.