UCF Bands will present a special showcase concert at Steinmetz Hall on October 1, marking the third consecutive year they have performed in this renowned venue. The concert will highlight both UCF’s student talent and community outreach by featuring a collaboration with the Wind Ensemble from Hagerty High School, one of the top high school band programs in Seminole County.
The program will include two notable premieres. The UCF Wind Ensemble, with UCF trumpet professor Dr. Jesse Cook, will perform the Florida premiere of Spinning Wheel, a work by James Stephenson. Originally composed for trumpet and piano, this piece has been adapted for wind ensemble, with UCF playing a key role in its commissioning.
The highlight of the evening will be Bury and Rise, a powerful new work by Ukrainian composer Catherine Likhuta. The piece is a tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of the Russian invasion, and it holds deep personal meaning for Likhuta, whose mother was killed in the conflict. The composition is imbued with Ukrainian folk music, evoking themes of resistance and hope.
“This concert isn’t just an opportunity for our students to perform in an exceptional venue,” said Scott Lubaroff, UCF Director of Bands. “It’s a way to bring the community together through music and to connect with the next generation of musicians in Central Florida. We’re excited to offer this experience to both our students and the talented high school musicians from Hagerty High School.”