Westminster’s Gala Concert to feature world premiere, alumni ensemble celebrating retiring director

The Westminster College School of Music will present a Gala Concert featuring the College’s Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and a special alumni wind ensemble performance in honor of retiring Director of Bands Dr. R. Tad Greig at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in the Will W. Orr Auditorium.

The concert, under the direction of Greig, will feature the world premiere of “Journey” by internationally acclaimed composer Dana Wilson. The piece, which will be performed by a 70-member alumni wind ensemble, was composed in honor of Greig and commissioned by several Westminster alumni and former students of Greig’s.

The 53-member Symphonic Band will perform “Fanfare Forna” by Brian Balmages, “City Trees” by Michael Markowski and “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Wind Ensemble, made up of 43 student musicians, will perform “II Maestoso” (“The Majestic”) by Wendell Yuponce, “Orient ed Occident” by Camille Saint Saens, “Unidad en Ritmon” by Michelle Fernandez and “Zoom” by Scott Boerma.

The alumni ensemble will also perform “Sketches on a Tudor Psalm” by Fisher Tull and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” by Claude T. Smith.

The Gala Concert marks Greig’s final concert before his retirement at the close of this academic year. Greig, who joined the Westminster faculty in 1993, serves as professor of music and director of instrumental activities. In addition to conducting the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble, which he founded, he also conducts the Titan Marching Band.

“I am so very excited to share the talents of our current and former students,” said Greig. “The band program has been a labor of love for me for 31 years, and I am so proud of all that they have accomplished and the hundreds of students that I have had the honor to work with.”

During his career, Greig has been a guest conductor, lecturer and guest speaker throughout the eastern United States. A freelance trombonist, he performs with the Youngstown Fine Arts Brass Quintet, the Butler County Symphony and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. He is also the conductor and music director of the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band. Greig has attained countless nominations and awards for his dedication to students and his personal music career.

“Dr. Greig has continually exhibited the perfect example of a remarkable educator, in everything he has done,” said Shelby Pocono, a junior music education and music performance major from Shavertown, Pa., and current president of Westminster Bands. “From his ‘celebrations of learning’ to the excitement and encouragement through rehearsals, he has not only taught us what is needed to be great educators but has touched the hearts of all who have passed through the music department. His hard work, dedication, and charisma have driven the Westminster School of Music to flourish into the exceptional place it is today.”

Greig earned an undergraduate degree from Grove City College, a master’s degree from Youngstown State University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University.

The concert is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, the concert will be livestreamed here.

For additional information about the concert, please contact Greig at greigrt@westminster.edu.

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