David Blackinton will retire after 43-year career
The Brigham Young University Wind Symphony will bid farewell to longtime director David P. Blackinton in his final performance directing the group on Wednesday, April 2.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. Admission is free. A reception in Blackinton’s honor will be held in E-250 Harris Fine Arts Center following the performance.
The symphony will perform Blackinton’s favorite pieces from his 43-year career as a band conductor and 28 years as BYU’s director of bands, including the Overture to "Colas Breugnon" by Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky, “Liebestod” by Richard Wagner, the Symphony in B flat by Paul Hindemith, "Lincolnshire Posy" by Percy Grainger and “Marche Militaire Francaise” by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Faculty guest artist Ray Smith, alto saxophone, will join the group for Paule Maurice’s "Tableaux de Provence," and the concert will conclude with Vaclav Nelhybel’s "Trittico."
During his tenure at BYU, Blackinton has conducted the Wind Symphony in Taiwan, China, Philippines, England, Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Finland, the Baltic States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and across the United States.
Blackinton is active as a performer, guest conductor and adjudicator. In 2000, he traveled to Riga, Latvia, to guest conduct the Riga Wind Orchestra and Lecture at the Music Conservatory of Riga. His notable career includes a service as president of the Western Division of the College Band Directors National Association and president of the Utah Music Educators Association.
He plays the trumpet for the BYU Faculty Brass Quintet, has recorded with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, performed in the Sydney Opera House and recorded music for the card company, Hallmark. He has performed at the International Brass Conference in Montreaux, Switzerland, and has been a soloist at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago.
For more information, contact BYU Performing Arts Management at (801) 422-3576.
Writer: Marissa Ballantyne
