For Immediate Release

The Georgetown College Tiger Symphonic Band will be presenting a “Band Gala” on Thursday, April 24^th at 8:00 PM in the John L. Hill Chapel on the Georgetown campus.

The program shall feature works by Brosse, Sparke, Margolis, Wiley and Holsinger. There shall also be a special offering by the Tiger Band Saxophone Quintet.

Featured Student Soloist for the evening shall be Mr. Gavin Sewell, trumpet on “Manhattan” by Philip Sparke. Gavin is the son of David and Jenny Beshear Sewell of Dawson Springs, KY and grandson of Elder Eddie M. Jr. and Virginia Beshear. He is a graduate of Dawson Springs High School and the prestigious John Gupton College of Funeral Service Arts in Nashville, TN. Gavin is a Biological Science Major and Church Music Minor. His playing credentials include All-District Band throughout high school; participation in the All-State Honors Band; the Kentucky Intercollegiate Band and the “Sound of America” European touring Honor Band and Chorus. He credits Mr. Johnny Brown of Hopkinsville, who served as his teacher throughout high school, as being the model for his approach to the trumpet. After graduation, Gavin plans to pursue a Masters of Education degree and continue his work in church music. His ultimate goal is to return to Dawson Springs and assist in the family business, Beshear Funeral Home, becoming the 4^th generation involved.

We shall also honor and salute our Senior Band Scholars at the concert, with what has become a popular and moving tradition as the Tiger Symphonic Band performs “The Old Scottish Melody” as arranged by Charles Wiley while a special video presentation is being shown. Additionally, the Outstanding Band Scholar of the Year will be announced, as well as the presentation of other special Tiger Band awards.

The musical highlight of the evening shall be the World Premiere of “Legacy Music” by David R. Holsinger. This performance shall be the culmination of a nearly five-year project as “Legacy Music” was commissioned by and written expressly for our Tiger Symphonic Band. Holsinger, arguably the best-known, most-honored and most-prolific living composer for bands in the world, has written “Legacy Music” with the goal of capturing the historic spirit and mission of Georgetown College. It is a fantasia on the hymn tune upon which the College Alma Mater is based, Are Ye Able, Said the Master. Joining our Tiger Symphonic Band for the World Premiere, shall be several well-known local artists – all “Friends of the Family”.

In addition to these musical offerings, the evening shall also represent a special gathering of the “Gem Alumni” of our Tiger Bands. Over the years, hundreds and hundreds of Band Scholars have participated in and contributed to the ongoing success of our Tiger Bands. There have been, however, nineteen key individuals, who as students made contributions to the legacy and lore of our Tiger Bands of inestimable importance. It is these, who are called the Gem Alumni. Coming from across the country and around the world – these outstanding young people … doctors, lawyers, business people – teachers, preachers and public servants … shall return to campus and be honored during the Band Gala.

The Band Gala celebrates the 163^rd year of Bands at Georgetown College, and is unique, as it again marks our Tiger Bands as the oldest college or university band program in the Commonwealth. Information exists on the first Georgetown Band and their motto “Music for all Occasions”. Our Band Scholars of today strive to live up to this historic epitaph.

A reception for the Band Scholars, their Families and all Band Friends will be held in the lobby of the Chapel immediately following the Band Gala. Thursday, April 24^th should indeed prove to be “An Evening of Delightful Music” and a night you shall not want to miss.