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Holsinger Conducts Holsinger, a concert celebrating one of America’s greatest composers, Dr. David Holsinger, will be held on Friday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Conn Center on Lee’s campus, featuring Holsinger pieces which have been performed by hundreds of ensembles and heard by thousands worldwide.  

This event marks Holsinger’s final appearance as conductor of the Lee University Wind Ensemble, after leading the group for over 25 years. Holsinger and his wife Winona, who is also an accomplished conductor, created the ensemble in 1999. 

The Friday evening program will include an hour of Holsinger’s band playing his own favorites from the long list of his compositions, interspersed with tributes to his contributions to American band music and his impact on the Lee University School of Music.  

“Liturgical Dances,” “A Summer to Fall,” “In Praise of Gentle Pioneers,” “Homage: Three Tapestries, No. 3.,” and “To Tame the Perilous Skies,” are some of the acclaimed works included in the program. 

“Liturgical Dances” promises to be both poignant and exuberant, classic and modern, reflecting the composer’s memories of his student days as a member of Beta Mu, for whom the work was commissioned in 1981, paying tribute to the Men of Music. 

“A Summer to Fall,” composed by Holsinger, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Warrensburg, Missouri, Community Band and the contributions of Holsinger’s long-time friend Dr. Russ Coleman. This sentimental piece was inspired by the love story of Coleman and his accompanist Alice who later became his wife. 

Holsinger gives insight into his personal life growing up on the farmland of north central Missouri with “In Praise of Gentle Pioneers,” demonstrating his father’s and grandfather’s gentle perseverance through music while thanking them for shaping his life. 

Asked by Texas bandmaster Kenny Bierschenk to compose a three-part tapestry for his band, “Homage: Three Tapestries, No. 3” was inspired by a life-changing experience Holsinger had in 1965 while watching a guest composer. “In one electrifying instant, I saw brutality, beauty, angst, anguish, joy, triumph, sorrow, exhilaration, devastation, despair, hope, and faith . . . all in the eyes of one man conducting his music…I knew right then, I wanted to be a composer.” 

The concert will conclude with Holsinger’s “To Tame the Perilous Skies,” which is considered by audience members to be a 13-minute masterpiece. The piece was commissioned for the 564th Tactical Air Command Band and has been played and recorded by military bands of the United States Air Force, Army, and the Naval Academy. 

“I conducted this piece as a visiting guest conductor in the spring of 1999 with Dr. Mark Bailey’s Lee University Symphonic Band,” says Holsinger. “It seems only appropriate that I close out this final concert ‘perilously’ conducting the same composition.” 

The Friday evening event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required and are available on eventbrite.com. A reception for all in attendance is planned immediately following the performance, as well as a pizza party for high school and middle school students.  

“I think it will be the top musical event of the year on our campus,” said Dr. Paul Conn, university chancellor and chair of the steering committee which is organizing the event. “This is a marvelous opportunity for families who enjoy band music, or who have kids playing in high school and middle school bands, to hear an exciting hour of terrific music.” 

For more information, visit Eventbrite.com or call the Dixon Center Box Office at (423) 614-8343.