The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present the Symphonic Band in concert on Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be held in the Mainstage Theatre at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, on the Pensacola campus.

Under the direction of Dr. Jeff Osarczuk, this program will include works by Richard Saucedo, Eric Whitacre, Frank Ticheli and Malcom Arnold.

One of the featured pieces in the program is “Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs” by Frank Ticheli. This work is built from four Shaker melodies - a sensuous nature song, a lively dance tune, a tender lullaby, and most famously, "Simple Gifts," the hymn that celebrates the Shaker's love of simplicity and humility. In setting these songs, Ticheli sought subtle ways to preserve their simple, straightforward beauty. Melodic freshness and interest were achieved primarily through variations of harmony, of texture, and especially, of orchestration.

The Symphonic Band is committed to performing the finest wind band repertoire and is open to all UWF students with prior experience on an instrument. Students in the Symphonic Band are enrolled in numerous majors and minors across the UWF campus.

This event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required. For more information, visit uwf.edu/cfpa or call the CFPA box office at 850.857.6285.