Many student musicians who learned from Maslanka as freshmen will perform his last symphony as seniors.
The Texas A&M University Wind Symphony, under the direction of Timothy Rhea, will perform the final symphony written by composer David Maslanka on Friday (Feb. 28) at 7 p.m. in Rudder Theatre. The concert also will feature two guest conductors: University of Florida Director of Bands David Waybright and Texas A&M Director of Orchestras Travis Almany.
The concert will include Procession of the Nobles by Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov; Postcard by Frank Ticheli; Toccata Marziale by Ralph Vaughan Williams; and DR III Honnormarsj by Erling Mostad. Maslanka’s Symphony No. 10: The River of Time will end the performance.
A native of New Bedford, Mass., Maslanka attended the Oberlin College Conservatory and spent a year at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He did masters and doctoral study in composition at Michigan State University. Well known and respected for his compositions for winds, Maslanka was a freelance composer in Missoula, Montana, from 1990 until his death in 2017. Among his more than 150 works are 50 pieces for wind ensemble. Maslanka completed a residency with the Texas A&M University Bands in February 2017, only months before his death. Many of the Texas A&M Wind Symphony musicians were present during his residency.
Symphony No. 10 was commissioned for a consortium that included the Texas A&M Wind Symphony. Maslanka passed away while writing the work, and the symphony was completed by his son, Matthew, based on Maslanka’s sketches. Matthew Maslanka, now the caretaker of his father’s music, holds music performance degrees in euphonium.
All events are free for Texas A&M students with a university ID. Tickets are available at the MSC Box Office for $5. Music educators are encouraged to contact the Music Activities Department at 979-845-3529 or band@tamu.edu to reserve a limited number of complimentary tickets for music students.
The concert will also be streamed live on the Music Activities YouTube channel, sponsored by The Association of Former Students.
Texas A&M University Department of Music Activities
The Department of Music Activities provides opportunities to student musicians to perform on local, national and international platforms. Home to the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, University Concert Bands, Century Singers, University Orchestras, Women’s Chorus, University Jazz ensembles, and the Texas A&M Singing Cadets, the department offers courses in band, choir and orchestra to students who wish to continue their musical experience at the university.
Texas A&M University Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs supports Texas A&M University by providing exceptional services, facilities, and programs that promote student success, embody the Aggie spirit, and foster a diverse and inclusive campus community to deepen the understanding and individual application of the Aggie Core Values – Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect, and Selfless Service.