This year, the UVU Wind Symphony has been celebrating the work of underrepresented groups under the banner of their inclusion theme - stylized as inclUTion to celebrate Utah.

Their fall semester concert, Ladies First, celebrates the wonderful music of female composers, performers and conductors. Donna Fairbanks, Professor of Violin, will be the featured soloist in a unique concerto for violin and wind symphony. Guest conductor Lauren Denney Wright will join them along with music from prominent composers Carolyn Bremer, Kim Archer, and others.

“I am so excited to be included on this concert that highlights female composers and performers,” Denney Wright said in an email. “For me, this is especially appropriate as women conductors are underrepresented in our profession - one that is predominately male. As a female performer, I am thankful for colleagues like Dr. Thomas Keck that see the importance of highlighting and celebrating the many accomplishments of women in the music profession. I am looking forward to working with the talented students at UVU next week.”

The Wind Symphony is under the direction of Assistant Professor Tom Keck. The goal of the ensemble is to improve performance skills in student participants, along with studying serious concert literature.