This Land is Your Land — America’s 250th Anniversary
The Wind Symphony welcomes world-renowned composer, David Amram, for the premiere performance of the band version of his orchestra work This Land: Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie. DMA Wind Conducting student Shawn Davern will conduct the Wind Symphony on this transcription, completed by Davern in collaboration with the composer. The program also includes William Schuman’s New England Triptych and Sousa's The Liberty Bell March.
Russel C. Mikkelson, conductor.
This concert is free and open to the public. No ticket required.
Composer-in-residence David Amram will take part in a special residency, April 21–22, culminating in the world premiere of this new work.
This new transcription was created by Amram in collaboration with Ohio State doctoral student, composer, and conductor Shawn W. Davern as part of Davern’s dissertation, THIS LAND: Transcription & Analysis of David Amram’s Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie for Wind Band.
Originally commissioned and premiered as a symphonic work by the Colorado Symphony in 2008, THIS LAND was written with the blessing and involvement of the Guthrie family.
“I knew when I first met and played with Shawn W. Davern that he was the perfect person to help me do this,” said Amram. “His deep knowledge of the wind symphony tradition and his love of music of lasting value were an unexpected blessing. Transcribing a symphonic work for a contemporary wind orchestra gives the piece a whole new life, and having him conduct the premiere with the dedicated young players of The Ohio State University Wind Symphony will be a joy for all. Every time this piece is reimagined, it finds a new voice,” said Amram. “Hearing THIS LAND come alive through a wind symphony — performed by young musicians who bring both precision and spirit to the music — feels deeply meaningful. Woody Guthrie believed that music belonged to everyone, and this performance carries that belief forward.”
- This residency is made possible through an awarded Alumni Grant for Graduate Research & Scholarship and the generous support from The Ohio State University Bands Department.
All events are subject to change.
Getting Here
An event in Mershon Auditorium coincides with this School of Music event. To avoid the higher-priced event parking fees in Arps Garage and Ohio Union North Garage, we recommend Ohio Union South.
Ohio Union South Garage (open to visitors 24/7) — located just south of the Timashev Music building, next to the Ohio Union.
- A good choice for events in Weigel Auditorium, just inside the south end of the building, across from the Oval.
- The only choice for visitors M–F, before 4 p.m.
Weigel Auditorium is on the second floor, via a staircase in the south lobby.
- The elevator to Weigel Auditorium is in the back hallway, located behind the Music Commons.