The Illinois State University Wind Symphony, conducted by Martin Seggelke, was named the 2015 American Prize winner in Band/Ensemble Performance.
The American Prize, a series of nonprofit national competitions in the performing arts, evaluates and provides professional adjudication, recognition, and reward based on a submitted recording. The American Prize is awarded annually, with one winner selected from each category and division. In the Wind Ensemble/Concert Band Performance category, the award recognizes the best submitted recorded performances by concert bands and wind ensembles in America, determined by a national panel of distinguished judges. Performances are judged on artistic quality and evaluated on a variety of criteria including the repertoire selection, overall effect of the performance, musicality, rhythmic incisiveness, tone quality, accuracy, intonation, and knowledge of style. In addition to receiving national and international recognition, each winner receives a written evaluation of their performance.
The award-winning CD was recorded in November 2014; Seggelke said this prestigious recognition is due to the hard work and collaboration of everyone in the Illinois State University Bands family. He expressed congratulations to the students, both current and now alumni, who made this a winning performance, as well as to the studio faculty who contribute daily to the success of the ensemble and this joint project. “I couldn’t be more proud of or happier for, our students. They make my day every time we meet in rehearsal.”
The Wind Symphony, Illinois State’s premier wind band, is known nationally and internationally as one of the leading collegiate wind ensembles in North America. This select group of the finest instrumentalists at Illinois State University has been praised for its professional performance quality by audiences, composers, and critics. In addition to at least eight performances of standard and newly composed works from the wind band literature, on the Illinois State campus each year, the Wind Symphony records annually and travels regularly. The Wind Symphony has been a featured performing ensemble at the American Bandmasters Association Convention, the Illinois Music Educators Association Conference, the College Band Directors National Association Convention, and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Seggelke is associate professor of music and director of Bands at Illinois State University. He conducts the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Winds, leads the Master of Music program in wind conducting, and teaches undergraduate classes in conducting. Ensembles under Seggelke’s leadership have enjoyed high critical acclaim at national and international conferences. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, nationally and internationally. He has presented at national and international conferences, and he has been the author of book chapters, as well as articles in various music magazines. An advocate of contemporary music, Seggelke has commissioned, premiered, and recorded many new works for wind ensemble. His innovative programming of international repertoire has received praise across the globe.
The Wind Symphony will perform this semester in Illinois State’s Center for the Performing Arts on the following dates:
Friday, February 5 at 8 p.m.
Monday, February 29 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 at 4 p.m.
For tickets contact the CPA Box Office at (309) 438-3586.
For additional information, contact the band office at (309)438-2166.
