Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra: Trumpet soloist will be featured at first concert

Alan Wenger (Contributed photo) [Click to enlarge]

The concert will feature Alan Wenger, trumpet soloist, performing the famous "La Virgen de la Macarena" by Rafael Mendez and Alexander Arutunian's trumpet concerto.

Wenger is an associate professor of music at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, and joined the faculty in 2003 as the studio trumpet teacher. He held prior positions at Amarillo College in Texas and Midland Lutheran College in Nebraska, and has served on the summer faculty of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan.

A native of Omaha, Neb., Wenger's education includes a bachelor of music degree in trumpet performance from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduate studies at Boston University and master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees in trumpet performance from University of North Texas.

For six years, Wenger served as principal solo cornet of the award-winning Fountain City Brass Band in Kansas City. His extensive chamber music experience includes touring with the Empire Brass, Bluebonnet Brass, Nebraska Brass and Kansas Brass Quintet. Other experiences include performances with the Four Tops, Mannheim Steamroller, Lou Rawls, the Temptations, Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, as well as with contemporary Christian artists Michael W. Smith and Ken Medema. Presently, Wenger stays active as both a soloist and clinician and frequently subs with the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to the flashy trumpet features, Lines has a selected a varied and challenging program for the orchestra and its listeners. In contrast to the rhythmic and more contemporary works on the concert, Lines has balanced the program with classics.

Faure's "Pavane," Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" and Dvorak's "New World Symphony" all contain famous and beloved melodies that will both soothe the soul and delight the senses.

Lines noted that the last time "New World Symphony" was performed in the Harold L. Lickey Auditorium was when the Kansas City Symphony took the stage in honor of MPO's 40th anniversary celebration.

"It was a magnificent performance seven years ago by a professional orchestra, and I am excited and most proud that the musicians in Marshall's own amateur community group have taken on such a great piece of music with such passion and dedication," he said.

MPO Board President Mary Lou Porter offered the following remarks in her Friends letter regarding the fast approaching season opener.

"The Marshall Philharmonic is honored to continually offer its patrons this excellent and unique musical tradition, in bringing free, live, symphonic music close to home in small town, rural America. Please join us in enjoying, promoting, and supporting your very own Philharmonic in its upcoming 47th season," she wrote.

The concert will be held in the Harold L. Lickey Auditorium of Bueker Middle School in Marshall and will begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. This first concert of the season is underwritten by Walmart.