New and old music will mingle in the wind during “The Art of the Wind” on Saturday.

The Eastern Wind Symphony will play both old and contemporary compositions at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center. 

Alan Sullivan, the interim director of bands, the director of the Panther Marching Band and the Eastern Wind Symphony, said he thinks the program will interest people.

“I think it’s a nice program with some older material and some very contemporary band literature,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the band will play a piece from 1980, “The Hounds of Spring” by Alfred Reed, a piece from 2010, “Hymn for a Blue Hour” by John Mackey, a piece from 2007, “Give us this Day” by Maslanka, “Black Dog” by Scott McAllister, and “Dance of the Jester” by Peter Tchaikovsky.

Sullivan said he wanted to entertain the audience in a variety of ways. 

“I wanted something that was traditional and I wanted some contemporary pieces, which will show off the power of the wind band and the various colors that are available from wind and percussion instruments,” Sullivan said. “I also wanted to do a transcription, so we will be closing with a transcription of Tchaikovsky.”

Sullivan said Magie Smith, a music department personnel and a teacher of clarinet, will be joining the Eastern Wind Symphony to perform as a soloist.

“We are going to feature Dr. Smith on a piece called ‘Black Dog,’” Sullivan said. “It is a really neat clarinet concerto. The composer used one lick out of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” as his inspiration for the piece.”

Sullivan said he is excited to see the piece performed on Saturday. 

Sullivan said the students benefit from performing with a professional artist. 

“It’s a great idea, because it shows how wonderful of a player she is; and with any soloist that performs with the Wind Symphony, it shows off their technique and musicality and their wonderful abilities as musicians,” Sullivan said. “And it gives students in the ensemble the chance to hear soloist performing with the wind band.”

Sullivan said he is excited for the audience to see this performance. 

“I am looking forward to sharing with the audience what we have been working on musically,” Sullivan said. “The kids in the band have been great, and to be able to share their gifts and talents with the audience is just a very special feeling.”

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.