Old and contemporary music were combined in the Dvorak Concert Hall stage on Saturday.

The Eastern Wind Symphony performed old and contemporary pieces during “The Art of the Wind Band.”

Alan Sullivan, the interim director of bands, the director of the Panther Marching Band and the Eastern Wind Symphony, said the wide variety of music attracts a wide audience.

“I thought (the audience) enjoyed it,” Sullivan said. “ I think they enjoyed the wide variety of programming.” 

The wind symphony played compositions ranging from the late 19th century to today. 

The symphony played “Give us this Day” by David Maslanka, “Black Dog” by Scott McAllister, “Dance of the Jesters” by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, “Hymn to a Blue Hour” by John Mackey, and “The Hounds of Spring” by Alfred Reed. 

Karen Villalobos, a Salem resident, said she liked the selection.

“I go more for the older symphony pieces, but I enjoyed it all; it was done well,” Villalobos said. 

Villalobos said she thought the students did well. 

“Symphony is beautiful music, people should listen to it more,” Villalobos said. 

Kathy Dennison, a Lisle resident, said she liked the variety of music. 

“I liked when it got louder and softer, I’m not sure of the technical term for it,” Dennison said. 

Brenda Tunison, a Villa Grove resident, said she thought the concert was great. 

“I really like the last piece (“Dance of the Jesters”), it was very nice and exciting,” Tunison said. 

Magie Smith, a music department personnel and a teacher of clarinet, played with the band during “Black Dog.”

“It is always a pleasure playing with the wind symphony, I’m really proud of my students,” Smith said. “It was great.”

Jenny Deisher, a junior music major and a clarinet player with the band, said she thought the concert went well.

“It was an exciting concert to perform,” Deisher said. “My favorite piece was ‘Black Dog’ because my teacher performed in it.”

Sullivan said he thought the band worked well with Smith. 

“They did great. They were very attentive,” Sullivan said. “When working with solos, the tempos can be different, and they did a good job of following her.”

Sullivan said working with professors allows them to learn from her. 

“A lot of them are performance majors, and it gives them a chance to see a professor playing with the band,” Sullivan said. “It’s a good learning experience for the band.”

Deisher said performing with her teacher allowed her to learn new things.

“Listening to a professional clarinet player helps us establish a style and learn from them,” Deisher said. 

Sullivan said the students did a good job during the concert. 

“I thought the students in the ensemble stepped it up tonight. They left it all on the stage,” Sullivan said. “The stage is where it should be left.”

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