June 6, 2025

Western Kentucky University Bands Celebrate 100 Years

News Summary

Western Kentucky University Bands will celebrate its 100th anniversary with summer concerts in June. The first concert will feature the Southern Kentucky Concert Band showcasing a variety of musical styles, while the second concert will honor the late Professor Joe Stites with guest conductors and favorite works. This milestone highlights a rich history of music and education in the WKU Bands program.

Bowling Green, KY – Western Kentucky University Bands is set to kick off its 100th anniversary celebration with a series of summer concerts in June 2025. This milestone marks a century of music and education, starting from the program’s inception in 1925 at Western Kentucky Teachers College with just 18 members.

The first concert will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. in the Downing Student Union (DSU) Auditorium. The Southern Kentucky Concert Band will lead the event, showcasing a program that spans various musical styles. Concertgoers can look forward to 1940s swing tunes, traditional marches, and the iconic theme from the movie Superman. Dr. Gary Schallert, the WKU Director of Bands, highlights the concert’s diversity, which will include lively pieces such as a polka and a special composition titled “Land Between” by Nashville composer Jay Dawson.

The second concert is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. in the same venue. This performance will honor the legacy of Professor Joe Stites, a beloved former conductor and music professor at WKU who passed away on March 1, 2025. The concert will feature guest conductors and include several of Professor Stites’ favorite works for concert band, presented by his former students and colleagues. Both concerts will be free and open to the public, with ample free parking available near the DSU.

The Summer Twilight Concert Series has been an annual tradition for the WKU Bands program, with the notable exception of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans. The series serves as a platform for both current and former musicians to come together, marking a century of growth and legacy in the WKU Bands program that now encompasses over 400 students participating in multiple ensembles.

As part of the anniversary festivities, Dr. Brant Karrick, an alumnus of the program, has been commissioned to compose a special piece titled “A Call for Celebration.” This composition will have its world premiere at a concert scheduled for April 25, 2025, detailing further involvement in the ongoing celebrations.

Tickets for the April 25 and 26 concerts will be available for $10 at the door and online. Individuals interested in learning more about the upcoming events or wishing to get involved can reach out to the WKU Department of Music or visit the WKU band’s 100th Anniversary website.

From its humble beginnings, the WKU Bands program has become a pillar in the community, providing musicians with opportunities to perform and grow in their crafts. The upcoming anniversary celebrations will not only commemorate a rich history of music but also focus on the contributions of those who have played a role in cultivating the program over the decades.

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Additional Resources

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